Purigen and Bubbles

Since I've started using Purigen 3 days ago, I notice on my LR millions of very tiny bubbles. I can almost certainly attribute it to the purigen, since, a) I've never seen this before, and never have used purigen before, and b) after blowing the bubbles off with a turkey baster, they're back in full force after 24 hours.

I suspect this is one of two things: either oxygen due to oxidation, as purigen states that it's an oxidizer--or perhaps nitrogen gas, as purigen also is marketed as a solution for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates--and nitrates are broken down at the end into nitrogen gas.

My first question is, has anyone using purigen for the first time, ever noticed fine bubbles appearing on their LR or any other surfaces in their tanks?

Second question: if this phenomenon were caused by the purigen, would it indicate that the main source of my pollutants reside where I see the bubbles?

 

I have used purigen before and recently added it back and I have seen more bubbles on the rock.

I think you are right about the source because denitrification is supposed to occur in or on live rock. I don't think your nitrogen pollution would be from your rock but from feeding unless ammonia can leach into rock like phosphate.

 

Thanks, 2in10. Nice to hear someone's had similar experience. From what I understand, of the 3 bacteria responsible for nitrification--only the 3rd--the one that changes nitrates to nitrogen gas, is anaerobic. I think I've read that most if not all conversion from nitrate to gas occurs in the deep, oxygen-depleted pores of LR where this bacteria lives, and in the anoxic layers of sand beds. I know I've seen bubbles rising from my sand bed for years. I've been told that this was nitrogen gas.

So, maybe I'm on to something here?

 

Looks like you are. I am using Purigen and I havent seen bubbles. I seen them go to the top but thats about it. My nitrates have gone down but its in the 30 ppg range. But it has been in my 125 system for about 2 - 3 weeks too. But thats what happened in my situation.

 

I think so.

 

I would guess that any bubbles would be localized to the area where the Purigen is located, barring a strong flow distributing microbubbles (which would be created on the Purigen) through the tank.

 

You need to get your nitrates down through another export mechanism. Purigen attracts organics, not nitrate producers exclusively. Good to hear it has helped with lower your nitrates. I have seen it before but I think it is due to removing organics that do not get caught by the skimmer.

 

So what do you suggest. I was thinking about adding a denitrification ensemble to my build.

 

From what I understand, the 4 most popular nitrate reducing methods continue to be (perhaps in this order), water changes, purigen or other ion exchange resins, coiled denitrators, an abundance of LR.

I suppose the best method depends on your scenario. If your nitrates were 0 yesterday, and more than, say, 10 today, then a water change is the best for immediate relief, but doesn't address the issue. Purigen and other resins work, but more slowly. The denitrator, I think, works best when introduced to a system very low in nitrates (But that might be incorrect), lastly, the slowest method, but one that has worked, is an abundance of LR. The bacteria that nitrify nitrates and change it into nitrogen gas, live in the oxygen depleted pores of LR. If you have enough LR, nitrates can be gassed off there.

 

so do i buy the bacteria for that or what. I do 30% water changes every week.