Seachem Purigen or Carbon (Granular Activated Carbon) - Which is a Better Filter?

[that Fish Guy]

Seachem Purigen or Carbon (GAC Granular Activated Carbon) - Which is a Better Filter?

I have included a Poll so please Vote on which one you like better and Post Why you like the product you picked below.

Here are two links for both of the products.

Please click on them for more info.

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Purigen.html

http://www.marineland.com/Products/...g-crystals/black-diamond-aquarium-carbon.aspx

 

[that Fish Guy]

Anybody have an opinion on this?

 

[DaveRaz]

I use both as they have different purposes. I use the gac in a reactor and throw a bag of purigen in a high flow area of the sump.

 

[fishchef]

I've been using Purigen for about 7 years. You can't tell when carbon is exhausted so your always just replacing it. Purigen changes color and can be regenerated which saves money. 250 ml does the trick for 100 gal volume. I believe that's more than recommended, but overall it saves money and is effective. Regular partials and proper feeding my NO3 was 2ppm today.

 

[that Fish Guy]

I use both as they have different purposes. I use the gac in a reactor and throw a bag of purigen in a high flow area of the sump.

How are their Purposes Different?

I thought they did basically the same thing?

 

[that Fish Guy]

The reason that I posted this Thread was because I read some posts that stated that Carbon caused Corals to Fade in Color (Especially SPS).

And I have a few SPS that do not look like other people's SPS that I know.

So I wanted to stop Carbon and maybe replace it with Purigen.

Has anybody tried this with Success?

Or would Purigen just cause Corals to Fade in Color too?

 

[fishchef]

I'm thinkin' that color is more of a light issue. No? Yes, higher nutrient levels can contribute, but I'm not sure about the exchange resin.

 

[D-Nak]

I know this is an old thread but I was reading up on Purigen and stumbled across it.

My thoughts on SPS and fading -- as fishchef mentioned -- is probably a lighting issue indirectly related to using Purigen or carbon. Nutrient rich water naturally yellows, causing less light to penetrate. When Purigen (assuming it pulls out organics like carbon) or a fresh batch of carbon is added to the system, the yellowing may quickly disappear which will allow more light to the SPS. The coral may have to readjust to the brighter light, causing slight bleaching or fading. Just a guess.