Aqua sobriquet
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Is there a less expensive alternative that’s good at removing tannins? I’m currently using AC to keep the water clear but it only lasts about a month.
Thanks, I always have 12% H2O2 to hand so I could dilute some for that. Probably safer than Chlorine Bleach?I recycle Purigen in 1 to 3 % hydrogen peroxide.
Hey @_Maq_ - do you find this works well? I noted that on Seachem's website in their FAQ they say:I recycle Purigen in 1 to 3 % hydrogen peroxide.
If hydrogen peroxide does in-fact work, then I assume their statement is to push people towards using bleach, and then subsequently needing to use their product Prime? 🤔FAQ: Can I use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or some other kind of "bleach alternative" instead of hypochlorite bleach?
NO. We can only be certain that hypochlorite bleach will be both effective at regenerating the Purigen® and removable by Prime®. Any other bleach alternative has the potential to be ineffective or dangerous in the regeneration process.
Bleach is incredibly harsh. I hate it. However, I've tried hydrogen peroxide once and it didn't work for me. Could have been the concentration. I've heard of others using it successfully - apparently @_Maq_ as well. Might depend on how dirty the bags are when you clean them - mine gets super dark brown almost black.Probably safer than Chlorine Bleach?
Yes, now that you mention that... I do not know the details, but I believe you may have some limitations in terms of what type and strength/concentration of bleach you can get your hands on in the UK.I’ll try the H2O2 first and if it doesn’t work I’ll resort to bleach. I did read somewhere though that the bleach in the US is stronger than the stuff in the UK?
I am going to give hydrogen peroxide another try next time I I need to clean my Purigen bags.Practical advice: Sometimes it takes several days to see visible effect. In some cases, H2O2 has to be dosed repeatedly. Yet in the end (and with the abovementioned exception of iron) it's worked for me already many many times.
Does it need flushing with clean water after the H2O2 for it to come clean?I can't perform any professional analysis. I can't insist that hydrogen peroxide is just as effective as bleach. However, H2O2 is used for the same purpose, which is strong oxidizing effect. It would be used in water treatment instead of chlorine (and its compounds) because it's cleaner, BUT it's more expensive. Also, in case of overdosing, chlorine smell warns, while there's no warning from H2O2.
I can say that it makes Purigen repeatedly white, only slightly yellowish. There's one exception, though, which is iron. To dissolve and remove iron you need reducing agent. I've succeeded with oxalic acid.
Now, after many instances of using H2O2 my Purigen seems to be clean and effective. How much effective? Who can measure it? Me, not.
So, please, take my recommendations with reservations. It's an amateurish trick, no scientific truth. But I, like many of you, do believe that Seachem does not play fair, and if they can persuade you to do any thing using their products, they will dismiss all other ways for which Seachem is not needed. Such is my belief.
Practical advice: Sometimes it takes several days to see visible effect. In some cases, H2O2 has to be dosed repeatedly. Yet in the end (and with the abovementioned exception of iron) it's worked for me already many many times.
I would definitely advice you to do that regardless.Does it need flushing with clean water after the H2O2 for it to come clean?
That is the <"Aquarium Science"> review.a guy suggested that nappies likely contain a similar material to Purigen. Anyone looked into this?
I'm <"not qualified to pass comment">, although I'm going to imagine that it maybe <"pretty near the truth">. It would be fair to say he isn't exactly a Seachem fanboy......... As a chemist well versed in polymer chemistry, based on the fact that the material swells in water and based on the decomposition products listed in the MSDS (no nitrogen compounds and no sulfur compounds), Purigen is simply a hydrophilic carboxylated acrylate polymer structure which gives a “macro-porous” surface for beneficial bacteria to colonize...........There are no special properties which such a plastic would have. It categorically is not an “organic scavenging resin”. The hydrophilic carboxylated acrylate chemistry is used in making baby diapers. This would appear to simply be one of the plastic resin bead feed stocks for making baby diapers.
cheers Darrel.....Note that I admit I am decidedly biased against the Seachem Company. I can’t help it. The amount of “pseudoscientific bedazzlement” they put out on ALL their products is just nauseating. They mix real science in with simply impossible “snake oil” claims in a manner which is very misleading to “newbies” in the hobby. And they have threatened to sue me for “libel”. I do not like to be threatened......
Highly debatable!That is usually the better bet!