Purigen in sponge filter only shrimp tank?

7367 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by AquaAurora, Apr 28, 2014

AquaAurora

Discussion Starter · Apr 28, 2014 (Edited)

Since shrimp are sensitive to nitrates, and Purigen brags about absorbing it (and ammonia and nitrite), I'm curious if a bag can be dropped into a shrimp tank? It would only have a sponge filter so no area in water movement to place it (like in HOB and canisters).
Has anyone tried using the product in such a setup? Did it help? Or is it just a waste of $?

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

bostoneric

· #2 · Apr 28, 2014

I dont see any issue with this. maybe you can rig it up somehow so it sits close to flow from the sponge.

r45t4m4n

· #3 · Apr 28, 2014

It says it needs to be in a place to get maximum flow. Not sure if soaking it will do much good though. It works wonders in my canister, highly recommended.

pwolfe

· #4 · Apr 28, 2014

Is using one of those tiny azoo palm filters an option? Be perfect for a little bag of purigen.

discuspaul

· #5 · Apr 28, 2014

r45t4m4n said:
It says it needs to be in a place to get maximum flow. Not sure if soaking it will do much good though. It works wonders in my canister, highly recommended.

This is correct. If there's no water flow through the Purigen particles, it can't and won't absorb the impurities it's meant to deal with.
Gotta have it a filter, or a reactor of some sort.

Jesseter

· #6 · Apr 28, 2014

If there is a sponge filter there has got to be flow. Yes the air bubbles up, but water is drawn with it. Perhaps you could attach another pipe containing the purigen to the top of the sponge tube?:confused1: Not sure though. Maybe some more advanced DIYers can chime in. Good luck!

discuspaul

· #7 · Apr 28, 2014

Yes, there's some flow in a sponge filter - but it would very likely be insufficient to permit a proper flow-through job, as well as not providing the necessary coverage of the overall Purigen bag/container.

Julianzh

· #8 · Apr 28, 2014

i have a tiny bag of it hanging on the surface of my tank. it turning brown which mean it's working. I also shake it daily to move inner purigen to the side. you can try to hanging it above the sponge filter?

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ctaylor3737

· #9 · Apr 28, 2014

AquaAurora said:
Since shrimp are sensitive to nitrates, and Purigen brags about absorbing it (and ammonia and nitrite), I'm curious if a bag can be dropped into a shrimp tank? It would only have a sponge filter so no area in water movement to place it (like in HOB and canisters).
Has anyone tried using the product in such a setup? Did it help? Or is it just a waste of $?

I use it in all my tanks, shrimp, discus and more. It does amazing things. It has never changed the parameters and if you follow the directions on regent you will be fine. Awesome stuff

-Chris

cape

· #10 · Apr 28, 2014

Besides making the water clearer, did you notice any benefit for shrimps or plants?

52149

· #11 · Apr 28, 2014

AquaAurora said:
Since shrimp are sensitive to nitrates, and Purigen brags about absorbing it (and ammonia and nitrite), I'm curious if a bag can be dropped into a shrimp tank? It would only have a sponge filter so no area in water movement to place it (like in HOB and canisters).
Has anyone tried using the product in such a setup? Did it help? Or is it just a waste of $?

Try using seachem matrix head it's 10x better than purigen. Purigen needs to be replaced every so often not too sure when but so heard that it needs to be replaced. As far matrix doesn't. Great bio media killing nitrites and ammo

0live

· #12 · Apr 28, 2014

The question here isn't really about whether or not to use the product, but more about how to
Use it when you only use sponge filters.

ctaylor3737

· #13 · Apr 28, 2014

Ah yea missed it. I put mine between the sponge and the glass. Water is,pulled through still absorbs stuff for me

-Chris

somewhatshocked

· #14 · Apr 28, 2014

If the Purigen isn't in the middle of the main flow -- like in an HOB -- as others have suggested, it's not going to be as effective. But will clearly still work a bit.

If an HOB isn't an option but you've got the budget for it, one could always buy an external reactor or build your own. That is, if the tank is large enough. There are some on the market for under $50 these days (primarily for use in reef tanks). Also a couple tutorials here on the forum for making your own if you search for them. I think one design is one Liam came up with some time ago.

52149

· #15 · Apr 28, 2014

0live said:
The question here isn't really about whether or not to use the product, but more about how to
Use it when you only use sponge filters.

I missed that. Well then I would put the somewhat shocked said in main current flow. I put my old one in a filter bag and tie it to my spray bar or over my sponge filter.

AquaAurora

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 28, 2014 (Edited)

Thank you everyone for your thoughts,suggestions, etc. I am setting up a 2-3g bowl and 2 g jar, odd shaped and not conducive for HOB, too tiny for canisters (I think a bit overkill for that small.. and pricy) They are curved/rounded and thus awkward.. so sponge filtration is my only option really (not enough room for tiny pumps and diy 'hob' style at least not anything I've thought/looked up).

edit:You can read my first post either way, ultimately I'm asking if its effective in such minimal/no flow environment.
Seeing Julianzh's photo of it simply floating ad changing color(absorbing), is good encouragement (thank you). I might try it, perhaps just put it in at night when I'm not looking at the tanks (floated) or make a little diy attachment to the sponge filter tubing that I can stuff some in and have running constantly.

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