Which Activated Carbon Do You Use?

[falc]

I started running Seachem MatrixCarbon when BRS ran out of ROX, I have been very happy with it!

 

[wesman42]

I can get 40oz of Marineland for 11.99 on Amazon so I have been doing just that.

 

[Don Lidtke]

Another vote for BRS ROX 0.8. The stuff is clean and it works!

 

[CCK_8814]

I can get 40oz of Marineland for 11.99 on Amazon so I have been doing just that.

The Marineland Carbon isn’t guaranteed to be phosphate & nitrate Free that’s why I haven’t used/tried it.

 

[revhtree]

Rox from BRS as well.

 

[wesman42]

The Marineland Carbon isn’t guaranteed to be phosphate & nitrate Free that’s why I haven’t used/tried it.

Well that's compelling me to switch. Do you happen to have a link to a thread that says this? I know rox is superior, but it seemed like BRS sells the same kind of bituminous carbon that Marineland is.

Basically I'm looking for a little evidence is all.

 

[CCK_8814]

I do not have any links or anything. However the manager of one of the LFS I frequent when I was there the other day pointed out that the Marineland does not state on its packaging or website its is NOT nitrate/phosphate free whereas the Kent and other Activated carbons specifically say they are.

 

[jda]

No carbon that I have ever tested is phosphate free. None. Not even Rox. I got something like 22 ppb in a phosban reactor that recirculated overnight. ...now this is in like 1/2 gallon and on a 100 gallon tank, this would be near 0 ppb.

Even the lignite and bituminous stuff that I have used from time to time measures out with some phosphate, but still very low - I cannot remember what it tested... sorry.

I tried some coconut shell once that was for room-sized air purifiers that was pretty high. I would not that stuff.

 

[scardall]

I will use any of it that is phosphate free. I do not need it to do much, though. The last time that I bought, I got a 55 pound sack on eBay for like $75 shipped in the larger pelleted size.

I HATE the .8 stuff... way too small and likes to escape in small numbers from my media reactors. I usually buy a larger size and I still have about half of a 5g bucket of the .8 that I walk past.

Try putting it in a filter bag. works well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FNCCZYK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[scardall]

Quick Compare - Carbon
Special Grade Bituminous Lignite Premium ROX 0.8 https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-premium-rox-0-8-aquarium-carbon.html
BRS Recommended - - YES
Color Removal
Good

Better
Best

Removal of Dissolved Organic Compounds
Good

Better
Best

Pore Size
Small/Medium

Large
Small, Medium & Large

Overall Performance
Good

Better
Best

Average Rinse Time in a Filter Sock
30 Seconds

2 Minutes
10 Seconds

Extractables Low Low
Ultra Low

Dust Low Most Ultra Low
Best Application Filter socks, Reactors and Equipment requiring large low dust media Reactors Filter socks and reactors capable of using small particle media
All of our carbons work well in the BRS reactor which is our suggested method of utilizing carbon in the aquarium.

 

[cracker]

I very rarely use MarineLand Black Diamond. Last time I had cloudy water & put a bag in the overflow. Never saw any difference.

 

[Retfitter]

I’ve used Red Sea Reef Spec carbon like it. Am currently using rox 8 because it takes less.

 

[CCK_8814]

How much is everyone actually using? One of the reasons I go throw my carbon so fast is because I use quite a bit. I put around 5-6 handfuls in my media bag. Am I crazy? Is that way more than needed? Tank is a 20x20x20 cube with 18x18x18 sump (approx 50gal total volume).

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

So I went to go get another bag of the Carbon I’ve been using from my LFS because I had run out and tomorrow is water change day but apparently it’s no longer available. So my question is what activated Carbon is everyone using? I’ve been using the Acurel Activated Carbon Pellets (pic attached) mainly because they were available at the LFS literally across from my house and it’s cheap. I run Carbon due to keeping several different types of BTA’s which like to go to war with each other at times. Because of this I have to change my carbon bag out every 3-4 days. So input as to which Carbon everyone is using would help. I was thinking maybe Chemi-Pure? Is it regenerable? Thanks in advance!

I setup new tank, for NPS corals. I use carbon from company called Hiatt filtration products. I love it.

 

[ReefTeacher]

ROX BRS

 

[DaveNJ]

ROX 0.8 from BRS

 

[schooncw]

Chemipure Blue and Purigen in my sump.

 

[jp_75]

is it that important to use it if it strips water from good stuff? should someone like me use it if i have a mixed reef and do water changes every week ?
thought actually about chemi pure since it has some gfo... i always have some phosphates.

 

[madweazl]

24/7 in a BRS single stage reactor with .75 cup (75g system) of Two Little Fishies HydroCarbon 2. Change it out every two weeks. Rinses clean after a few seconds.

Edit: do you have any evidence that you actually need to replace it as often as you are?

Do you have room to mount the reactor outside, but over the refugium like this?

 

[CCK_8814]

24/7 in a BRS single stage reactor with .75 cup (75g system) of Two Little Fishies HydroCarbon 2. Change it out every two weeks. Rinses clean after a few seconds.

Edit: do you have any evidence that you actually need to replace it as often as you are?

Do you have room to mount the reactor outside, but over the refugium like this?

If I don’t change it every 3 days or so my black widow BTAs will begin to deflate much more per day and show other signs of unhappiness. I really don’t have any room inside my cabinet or sump for a reactor. My only hope would be to mount it outside the cabinet (picture of my sump attached to show what I mean).