Purigen and the nitrogen process/cycling

[capturedbyrobots]

Hi folks,
I am new here,
and have a few questions.

I am wanting to try using Purigen,
at the recommendation of some fellow fish keepers.

I keep freshwater tanks, all planted.

My question is this.

1. Would Purigen limit or lower the amount of nitrifying bacteria,
by absorbing/limiting the ammonia needed for the process?

I am concerned that if the product becomes exhausted,
and regeneration does not happen soon enough,
there won't be enough beneficial bacteria to "eat/convert" the ammonia
thus one would get spikes in parameters.

2. Would this product help during the beginning of cycling a tank,
to help control ammonia/nitrite spikes?
Or, would it just prolong the cycling process.
(I usually use Biospira or seeded media to get a jumpstart)

Thanks so much for your advice.
Jay

[Tech Support GL]

Purigen will not hinder the ability of your bacteria populations to grow. Purigen absorbs organic waste before it is converted into ammonia/nitrite/nitrate and could help to avoid spikes. To avoid spikes in ammonia/nitrite, you want to make sure you have adequate biological filtration media to support bacteria and sufficient bacteria populations for the number of fish you have. While cycling the tank it would be a good idea to feed less and check for free ammonia and/or nitrite. Most systems contain enough organic matter to provide adequate nutrients for bacteria to begin to colonize bio media. Chemical filtration such as Purigen should not keep the tank from cycling or slow the cycling process.

[tanhql]

or you can do what i'm doing: buy two bottles of purigen, swap the used one for the new one, and regenerate the old one. keep the regenerated purigen for next 'swapping'.

[Tech Support GL]

That is really up to you. If you would like to continuously run Purigen without waiting to regenerate that is fine.