Purigen and tannins

[rubbersandal]

Can purigen remove indian almond leaves tannins? The tank is about 40 litres and I'm using roughly 20ml of purigen in a HOB. After 3 days the visibility in my tank still the same. Nothing has changed.
I'm using it to remove tannins and left over medication, if tannins visibility remains the same I'm taking it doesn't remove leftover med as well?

Purigen is at the top most area of my HOB.

[Tech Support MS]

Hello Rubbersandal,

Purigen will remove color bodies and is often used to clear tannin colored water. With that said, it is not the best media to use for the removal of medications. Activated carbon is much better for this because it is more aggressive in what it will remove. Also, some medications may foul or reduce the effectiveness of Purigen, so it should not be used while medications are present.

How does the media look? It is possible that there are enough tannins that the 20ml used has already been exhausted. If the media appears dark brown, I would regenerate it and return it to the aquarium. While Purigen generally takes several months to exhaust, if large amounts of waste and color bodies present, it may exhaust more quickly. It is possible that some medications could also accelerate this.

[rubbersandal]

The media color still look the same when I bought from the shelf. For your question on "It is possible that there are enough tannins that the 20ml used has already been exhausted" I got this from one of your adminstrator each 100mL of Purigen will treat up to 100 gallons of water so my tank is merely 10 gallon approximately 10mL purigen will do the work yet Im using 20mL instead. Even if the purigen has been exhausted arent there supposed to be a slight percentage change visbility of my tank moreover color of purigen in my tank is still in it pale blonde color.

Is matrix carbon an activated carbon too?

[Tech Support HK]

If the Purigen media color is the same as it was when you purchased it, then it has not become exhausted. The media will turn a very dark brown, almost black, once it has exhausted completely. Purigen's main function is to remove nitrogenous waste before it has the chance to convert to ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. It does have the added benefit of removing tannins, and increasing the clarity of water. However, this may take some time, since Purigen's main function is to seek out and remove nitrogenous waste.

MatrixCarbon is an activated carbon. Purigen is a synthetic scavenging resin.

[Caperz]

Gday Seachem,

I see that you previously posted that Purigen will remove the tannin colouration.

However can you please advise if the "good stuff" (that softens the water and lowers PH - for freshwater community tank) is also removed ?

Science is not my strong point so am not sure what (in the peat moss) it is that softens up the water.

I look very forward to your response.

Cheers 'Caperz

[Tech Support HK]

Hi Caperz.

Purigen will only remove color bodies and excess nitrogenous waste. Purigen will not remove beneficial components, such as trace elements, nutrients, GH, or KH.

Peat moss increases the amount of hydrogen within the water. The more hydrogen ions you have, the lower the pH will be. Therefore, peat moss is a great addition if you are trying to lower pH to the acidic range. Peat moss will not actually soften water.

[Caperz]

[QUOTE=Tech Support HK;10577]Hi Caperz.

Purigen will only remove color bodies and excess nitrogenous waste. Purigen will not remove beneficial components, such as trace elements, nutrients, GH, or KH.

Peat moss increases the amount of hydrogen within the water. The more hydrogen ions you have, the lower the pH will be. Therefore, peat moss is a great addition if you are trying to lower pH to the acidic range. Peat moss will not actually soften water.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your informative response. I assume this also goes for Matrix (not removing any beneficial components ?

[Tech Support HK]

That is correct. Matrix will not remove any beneficial components.

[Caperz]

Thanks again !

[Tech Support EH]

You're welcome!