Purigen? Should I consider a reactor?

[Rainer]

I've read it strips out nitrate -so is this for fish/shrimp only tanks?

[Monster Fish]

It removes organics that will break down into ammonia, nitrite, and eventually nitrate. It won't remove inorganic (fert-based) sources of nitrate.

[Rainer]

How effective is it in reducing TDS? I have a 2217 running on a high tech 29g and want to keep Neos, maybe Tigers if conditions permit. I'm reducing ferts as much as I can but TDS is currently 250.

Is a fluidized reactor remarkably better than stuffing it inside the canister with the Bag?

[Monster Fish]

Not sure on how much it would reduce the TDS. The best way to reduce TDS is to do water changes. 250 is a bit on the higher end but neos are pretty hardy. What's your KH, GH, and Nitrates?

I haven't use a fluidized reactor so I wouldn't know.

[Rainer]

Values are in flux as I try to solve a deficiency (Mg or an insurmountable CO2 problem) and throttle back on the ferts. Typically it's around:
GH 8
KH 7

Nitrate has been sky high as the test strips were faulty. My target is 5-10 ppm just prior to the next KNO3 dose.

[Monster Fish]

dGH = 8
dKH = 7

1dGH/dKH = 17.868 ppm, rounded upto 18 ppm for simplicity

GH = 144 ppm
KH = 126 ppm

GH + KH TDS = 270 ppm

Um... either your TDS meter isn't calibrated or you measured your KH and GH wrong.

[Rainer]

GH and KH readings were from 9/30, before I started the Mg experiment and before the TDS meter arrived. The TDS reading is from today. It was as high as 292 on 10/3 and down to 201 post-WC on 10/7.

[Monster Fish]

Thanks for clarifying. Any reason why the KH is so high?

[ccbeauch]

I just bought one last week. It turned yellow very quickly. I think it was doing its job of getting the tanis out of the water (or what ever the tea colored stuff is). I was wondering if anyone knows how to properly regenerate it. I know it says so on the package and all but just wanted to double check before I put something soaked in bleach into my discus tank

[Rainer]

Originally Posted by Monster Fish

Thanks for clarifying. Any reason why the KH is so high?

Tap is 6-7.

[Monster Fish]

Originally Posted by ccbeauch

I just bought one last week. It turned yellow very quickly. I think it was doing its job of getting the tanis out of the water (or what ever the tea colored stuff is). I was wondering if anyone knows how to properly regenerate it. I know it says so on the package and all but just wanted to double check before I put something soaked in bleach into my discus tank

Soak it in the bleach and water solution as stated in the directions on the package, rinse it several times, add a generous amount Seachem Prime, then rinse until the smell is gone. I've regenerated it with just straight bleach before with no problems.

[Monster Fish]

Originally Posted by Rainer

Tap is 6-7.

Ah. Neos should be fine in that high of a KH. I keep my rilis in 6 dGH/dKH. However, I'd bring it down if you want to keep tigers in the tank. Have you thought about using RO for water changes?

[Rainer]

Originally Posted by Monster Fish

. Have you thought about using RO for water changes?

Thought about it but it doesn't seem that practical on an EI tank at that volume and storage space is limited.

[Rainer]

Originally Posted by ccbeauch

I just bought one last week. It turned yellow very quickly. I think it was doing its job of getting the tanis out of the water (or what ever the tea colored stuff is). I was wondering if anyone knows how to properly regenerate it. I know it says so on the package and all but just wanted to double check before I put something soaked in bleach into my discus tank

There's a thread about how recharging Purigen can be potentially toxic if you use CSM+B. You've probably seen it but I'd hate for something happen to those discus.

[Monster Fish]

Well, I've read your thread with the magnesium deficiency with your hygros. How are they reacting to the added magnesium?