Purigen Questions.

[wrightme43]

Hi SeaChem People.
I followed this back from Reef Frontiers. You all are a new sponsor there. Glad you joined us. I wanted to ask you all to expand on purigen. I own a design, and maintence service for reef aquariums. I have 4 liters of purigen split up into 1/4 L per bag I cycle them through they tanks and bring them home to regen. them. I am very satisfied with the product. I just want to know anything you all can share about it. I would like to know if the there is a limit to regen? I use prime and quality bleach. Are there compounds it doesnt absorb? Is there a danger from long term use? I asked on reef frontiers too, but it was one of the first replies and I guess it got skimmed over. Any info for me. Oh and just so you know, I use reef advantage, both of the buffer types, prime, and a bunch of your test kits as well. I like your company and just want to learn more about your products. Steve

[Tech Support RB]

Steve,

Thanks for inquiry. Regarding Purigen, it is a polystyrene based adsorption resin that aggressively scavenges nitrogenous organic material. It also polishes water and can be regenerated usually between 6 - 10 times before completely exhausted. This resin is not an ion exchange resin that is commonly used in this industry as ion exchange resins do just that....exchange ions. They tend to scavenge organic material as a secondary function and are not as successful as Purigen in doing so.

[wrightme43]

Thank You Very Much. And now for my next question. LOL How do you tell when it has been regenerated too many times? How and What does the bleach do to regen. it? Do you all sell it directly or do I need to keep buying mail order? Thanks in adavance. Steve

[Tech Support RB]

Steve,

Purigen turns a muddy brownish color indicating exhaustion and it's need to be regenerated. Bleach is used in the regeneration process to oxidize the bulk of the organic material that has accumulated on the resin. However, it will get to a point where the resin can not adsorb any more organic material (after being regenerated multiple times) from the amounts of organic material that could not be oxidized by the bleach during regeneration and that have permanently taken up residence on the resin. You will notice this by the resin staying a brown color and will not return to the original white/off white color.

[wrightme43]

Cool. Thanks ALOT!! That is probley a good explantion of why my oldest batch is starting to have some beads, just a few that stay brown after regen. even though most turn pure white again. Thanks again. Steve

[Tech Support RB]

You are welcome.

[Coigula]

I currently use this product along with carbon with good results.

I am unclear how polystyrene would extract organics. What is the mechanism for absorbing organics from salt water. Is it really a true polystyrene, or is the styrene functionalized somehow?

[Tech Support CH]

Purigen has a charge and is macroporous. This allows it to pull out large chained molecules and have a preference for nitrogenous waste.

[volionkeeper]

Can Purigen be somehow indicative for presence of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates in tank water, as CupriSorb - for copper?
I have Purigen in two saltwater tanks for a 2-3 weeks, but color shanges of Purigen to the light coffee with cream color are only in tank with low ammonia/nitrites/nitrates, not in the tank with high levels. Any hint why it could be?
Tests were Hagen's.

[Tech Support CH]

Purigen adsorbs nitrogenous waste before it become ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. It will also remove proteins and polish the water. The color of Purigen just indicates how much of these wastes it has absorbed. This can vary by the size of the aquarium, the water flow through the Purigen and the amount of Purigen used.

[volionkeeper]

Thank you!

[Tech Support CH]

You are welcome.