What Carbon (Bulk) do you use?

NEFFx · Oct 5, 2022

I wish there was a good comparison for carbon in 5g buckets or bulk?

So far I have found the following - anyone else recommend any others or not? Do you feel the low dust compressed stuff is worth the money? I run a AQUATOP MR-30 reactor (3.5" x 20" tube) for my 240g (320g system). I just finished my first 5g bucket after a year with 4-6 week change frequency.

Currently use - BRS Bituminous - 5g (15 lbs) $105
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-bituminous-aquarium-carbon.html
Saw these?
polylab 20kg (44lbs) (volume?) $289
https://www.aquacave.com/polyplab-pro-carbon-20-kg.html
BRS - Rox 0.8 - 5g 15lbs $250
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-premium-rox-0-8-aquarium-carbon.html
Kolar Labs - 5g $100
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/bulk-aquarium-large-particle-carbon-calgon-5-gallon-15-lbs

The_Skrimp · Oct 5, 2022

I use BRS rox carbon and really love it. I guess it’s the small grain size but it really works better for longer compared to the other carbons I’ve used.

NEFFx · Oct 5, 2022

The_Skrimp said:
I use BRS rox carbon and really love it. I guess it’s the small grain size but it really works better for longer compared to the other carbons I’ve used.

What are the others? are the compressed or granular? how long does it last in your opinion? water flow, organic density, and amount are obviously big factors for this so I understand that it is a guess.

Homey D. Clownfish · Oct 5, 2022

I hear most people like the ROX 0.8, and it gets good reviews. I use Chemipure blue, which has a high quality quick-wash carbon already in the mesh bag. Then again, I just have a 50 gallon AIO, so it’s more practical for me.

The_Skrimp · Oct 5, 2022

NEFFx said:
What are the others? are the compressed or granular? how long does it last in your opinion? water flow, organic density, and amount are obviously big factors for this so I understand that it is a guess.

I’ve used bulk compressed activated carbon and two little fishes granular hydrocarbon before. There’s a noticeable difference in how polished the water gets using rox carbon. The container says to swap it out after two weeks but I’ve run mine for over a month before still getting good results.

hoardingcorals · Oct 5, 2022

I use the Reef Endurance rox carbon. The BRS videos sweet talked me into trying rox and Premium Aquatics has it cheaper than the BRS stuff so I went with that.