Will Purigen Pull Plant Fertilizer from Water?

Purigen is a popular product used by aquarium enthusiasts to remove impurities from their fish tanks. But can the same product be used to pull plant fertilizer from water? Let's take a look.

Understanding Purigen

Purigen is a synthetic polymer that is used to remove impurities from water. It works by adsorbing (not absorbing) organic waste, as well as other pollutants, such as tannins and odors. Unlike other filter media, Purigen is not consumed during the process and can be regenerated with bleach.

Plant Fertilizer and Water

Plants require nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, to grow. These nutrients can come from soil, but also from water. In fact, many aquarium plants are grown hydroponically, which means that they are grown in a soil-free environment and receive their nutrients from the water they are grown in. However, too much fertilizer can be detrimental to plant growth and lead to problems such as algae blooms.

Can Purigen Pull Plant Fertilizer from Water?

While Purigen is great at removing impurities from water, it can't differentiate between what is harmful and what is beneficial. In other words, it will remove plant fertilizer along with any other organic waste in the water. Therefore, using Purigen to pull plant fertilizer from water is not recommended.

Alternative Methods

If excess fertilizer is a problem in your aquarium or hydroponic setup, there are other methods you can try. One option is to perform regular water changes to dilute the fertilizer concentration in the water. Another option is to use a different filter media, such as activated carbon, which is better at removing dissolved organic compounds than Purigen.

Conclusion

While Purigen is a great tool for removing impurities from water, it should not be used to pull plant fertilizer from water. Instead, consider alternative methods such as regular water changes or using different filter media. By doing so, you can ensure that your plants receive the nutrients they need to grow, without the risk of excess fertilizer leading to problems.