Seachem Purigen, according to Seachem themselves, states that it has the highest organic removal capacity, helps control ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, is easily regenerated when treated with household bleach, and polishes water to unparalleled clarity.

The last statement is what piqued my curiosity after verifying those claims on numerous forums and website reviews. I’d keep your money and pass on the fancy marketing, I’ll tell you why.

Prior to adding Seachem Purigen my tank, according to my own observations, led me to believe that the water was indeed crystal clear. Ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates were all under control and nitrates actually decreased every day due to my heavily planted aquarium. As a matter of fact, I have to dose fertilizer almost daily to keep my nitrates at an optimum level for growth.

I’m always in search of finding ways to do things more efficiently, better, faster, etc. Seachem Purigen has great marketing materials and I use a ton of their products. Due diligence, which consisted of many days of internet research, led me to believe that Purigen would take my tank to a whole other level. I grabbed a few bags online and once delivered, threw a bag into my filter. The anticipation and excitement were like no other as I patiently waited for the next level of aquatic awesomeness.

Fast forward a few days later and the ballooning excitement fizzled as I couldn’t detect even the slightest visible change of water clarity. There was no unparalleled clarity, it looked exactly the same!

The aquarium runs a Marineland Emperor 400, modified, as well as an Eheim 2227 wet/dry canister filter, both with pre-intake sponges. The Marineland Emperor 400 utilizes two standard-issue filter cartridges, which do contain activated carbon, however, the media is over 10 years old, and I’m sure by now exhausted.

Those two filters, yes, I know… over filtered, are all it takes to maintain crystal clear water. Water so clear that it looks like your fish are floating in thin air. I’m sure Seachem Purigen has beneficial uses, and I’m going to continue to experiment. That being said, I do feel cheated, I had high hopes for unparalleled clarity.

Seattle, WA.