When I first started to develop fish tanks, beyond the small betta tank I started out with some years ago, I was making all kinds of mistakes.  I had waited for three to four weeks before trying to stock my tank with fish.  I had made sure that they had a good filter (changing from the old one that made fish die like crazy), made sure to have biomax in my filter to build up good bacteria, and I even added some pennies to the water to save my neons from dying an masse (which worked perfectly, by the way).

I was having some problems with carbon and decided that perhaps I had chosen the wrong hobby.  This was becoming so involved and stressful with losing fish a lot during learning that I couldn't see staying into it anymore. 

Carbon was so unpredictable and I was frustrated not knowing what the point might be each time where the carbon reversed and actually started putting toxins INTO the water.

I was about ready to give up fish keeping entirely when I discovered Purigen by Seachem Laboratories.

WHAT ARE PURIGEN 100ML BAGS LIKE?

Purigen is a fascinating little item.  The 100ml size is a strong mesh bag which is heat sealed and has encased in it very very tiny little round white balls.  The idea is that these balls attract and absorb the extra organic wastes that lead to having nitrate/nitrite problems in the tank which is what causes a lot of problems.

The bag costs around $8 or so and lasts in the filter about 5 months or so depending on the biological load in the tank.  As the bags are used, they turn darker and darker until they are chocolate brown or black.  Once that happens, the beauty of this bag is that you can recharge it.

You simply remove the bag from the filter, and then you place it in a mixture of bleach and water where it stays for almost a day.  Once the beads are all white again (you have to agitate it to make sure they are all covered), you then rinse the bag well and put it in a container using water and Seachem Prime- a dechlorinator.

Once the bag has been in the Prime for an extended period of time, then the bag is again rinsed and rinsed until it is clean.  If you are still nervous about the bag being put back in the tank, you can test the PH to be sure.


HOW DOES PURIGEN 100ML BAG PERFORM?

I have to say that I was not sure what to expect when I got the Purigen bag.  My tank was a bit cloudy and dirty looking after having the carbon in it.  When I put in the Purigen, within about 2 hours, my tank looked CRYSTAL CLEAN!

I have found that the bags last about 5 months for me, although at times 4 months is all I dare get out of the bag in the more heavily populated tank.

I have been amazed at how stable my tank has been with all levels at zero or close to it every time I test it.  Before adding Purigen, my tank was having levels of nitrites and nitrates as well as ammonia at levels that were not very good for the fish. 

I have used Purigen in two tanks now and both tanks stabilized and cleaned right up when I added the bag. 

FINAL COMMENTS

Purigen in the 100ml bags are durable and withstand the bleaching process.  I have had one occasion where the bag mesh was a bit too small and the beads slipped through it.  I called the company and they quickly replaced the bag with no problem.

You can also buy Purigen in bulk and purchase a bag made by Seachem called THE BAG which allows you to make your own mixtures for your filter.
I plan to purchase these in the future when I size up into a larger tank in the future. 

I have an Aquaclear 20 and 30 filter which work beautifully with my Purigen bags.  I have never appreciated a fish product like I appreciate my Aquaclear filter and the Seachem Purigen 100ml bag!  I have had very little fish loss since starting to use them. 

WHERE TO BUY

Unfortunately, you can not find Purigen at many chain pet stores around me, but I have found them at various places online that sell pet supplies.

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