ShaneSmith

Will purigen remove nitrates from the water or eliminate its creation by removing NH4+? I am concerned that purigen will waste my fertilizer.

Supercoley1

It will remove organic nitrates but not inorganic nitrates. Therefore it will remove ammonia but leave potassium nitrate alone.

Many of us use it in our planted tanks because:

A - It helps remove the ammonia which triggers algae
B - It makes the water a little clearer

Those who are saying 'my water is already crystal clear'....That is what I said and I know nowadays I was wrong It was almost crystal clear before.

No doubt there will be something else come along which then makes me say that with Purigen it was almost crystal clear

AC

ShaneSmith

I am confused. Nitrate is inorganic (no carbon). What is organic nitrate. Ammonia is also inorganic (no carbon). Are you saying it wont remove Nitrate but will remove the organic substances that break down to produce ammonium?

Supercoley1

No idea on the science but ammonia is organic. Potassium nitrate is not. Read this many times by many people including Tom Barr.

AC

ashappard

in a molecular sense ammonia is not organic - but in organic chemistry it is commonly a product or reactant. where it is a common part of biological life, it is considered organic. unless you get picky on its lack of C-H bonds

still this doesnt go very far in answering the OPs question
I use purigen as a water polisher - it does a great job and I've really not had to adjust dosing when using it. I think you have little to worry about there.

ShaneSmith

I didn't realize organic also meant part of biological system. I dunno if anyone can answer this, maybe seachem. How does purigen know if the ammonia or nitrate is from a biological system or not? just out of curiosity. I'm not trying to question your suggestions but i am trying to figure out exactly what this product is going to do in my aquarium.

Seachem

Purigen will specifically remove excess organic waste before it is converted to ammonia. Purigen will not impact your dosing of nitrogen sources. The only effective way of really removing nitrate is through biological means. Purigen's characteristics allow for it to be discriminate in what it will remove on the basis of size and charge of the molecules.

Nevermore

I've wondered this same exact thing. I've heard a lot of people say "organic nitrate", but what is that?

ShaneSmith

Thanks this clears it up, purigen should work very well for what i need.

Seachem

You are very welcome!