Which carbon?

fishkeeprian · 10/19/2017, 12:59 PM

Not sure which activated cabin to use, what's the difference between the larger carbon and the finner grades to the reef specs? I just want some to put in a mesh bag in my sump. I can get 2kg of the larger carbon pellets (non branded) cheap.

HippieSmell · 10/19/2017, 01:12 PM

If you want it to be effective, run a reactor, they aren't that expensive. I've used Bulk Reef Supply ROX before, and it is good stuff.

Hal · 10/19/2017, 01:41 PM

I can't cite the study, but ROX is one of the best performers for the dollar. I looked into this a while a go and I tend to research the heck out of things. Check posts by Boomer on carbon and you'll probably find it.

tzylak · 10/20/2017, 03:24 PM

Try CNZ Economy Activated Pond Carbon, $27 for 10 pounds!! http://www.amazon.com/CNZ-Economy-Ac.../dp/B00B77WCYC
I am happy with it. Every month or so I just rinse it and swap it with the old one in the sump.

Scrubber_steve · 10/20/2017, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkeeprian

Not sure which activated cabin to use, what's the difference between the larger carbon and the finner grades to the reef specs? I just want some to put in a mesh bag in my sump. I can get 2kg of the larger carbon pellets (non branded) cheap.

The " cheap larger carbon pellets" are no good for aquariums because it would be sourced from bituminous coal. It has small pore size. Activated carbon sources from lignite coal has large pores & works well in an aquarium because the molecules that need removing are mostly large. It costs more, but does what you want it to. ROX 0.8 is the ultimate. It is a proprietary blend that has mainly large pores but also medium &:small pores. It is used in pharmaceutical laboratories. It costs the most but you use far less. Purigen isn't activated carbon but takes up organics from the water very well, apparently.

ROX is King.

PsychoticBeauty · 10/20/2017, 06:55 PM

FWIW I use the Aquaclear inserts for a 20 gallon tank. I think I can get a pack of 3 for like $6.50. Being that I replace them once a month, a years worth only cost me like $30.
No muss no fuss... It's all good.

Bronx19 · 10/20/2017, 07:01 PM

As per BRS, ROX0.8. Its a beast, don't over do it.

Frogmanx82 · 10/20/2017, 11:38 PM

I like the BRS because it is so easy to clean. Carbon dust is something you don't want in your tank.

Scrubber_steve · 10/21/2017, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogmanx82

I like the BRS because it is so easy to clean. Carbon dust is something you don't want in your tank.

another good thing about the ROX is that it's virtually dust free.

fishkeeprian · 10/21/2017, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twinfallz

The " cheap larger carbon pellets" are no good for aquariums because it would be sourced from bituminous coal. It has small pore size. Activated carbon sources from lignite coal has large pores & works well in an aquarium because the molecules that need removing are mostly large. It costs more, but does what you want it to. ROX 0.8 is the ultimate. It is a proprietary blend that has mainly large pores but also medium &:small pores. It is used in pharmaceutical laboratories. It costs the most but you use far less. Purigen isn't activated carbon but takes up organics from the water very well, apparently.

ROX is King.

This is what I was thinking of getting.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00...rbL&ref=plSrch

Scrubber_steve · 10/21/2017, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkeeprian

This is what I was thinking of getting.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00...rbL&ref=plSrch

don't waste your money

Scrubber_steve · 10/21/2017, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkeeprian

This is what I was thinking of getting.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00...rbL&ref=plSrch

https://youtu.be/JP5Vu6OvLOI?t=2

fishkeeprian · 10/21/2017, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twinfallz

https://youtu.be/JP5Vu6OvLOI?t=2

I'm in England so BRS is not an option.

HippieSmell · 10/21/2017, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkeeprian

I'm in England so BRS is not an option.

Are you sure? I think they'll ship. Just buy a 5 gallon bucket and you're set for a long time.

Scrubber_steve · 10/21/2017, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkeeprian

I'm in England so BRS is not an option.

you can buy ROX 0.8 from other sources.

I only put the brs vid up so you could see the testing they did

jubei2006 · 10/22/2017, 09:56 AM

If you're going to bother with carbon get a good quality like what others are posting and get a simple reactor. There are some simple tumble reactors our there that are complete setups. It will greatly increase the useable surface area and saturate all the carbon at an even rate.

Scrubber_steve · 10/22/2017, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jubei2006

If you're going to bother with carbon get a good quality like what others are posting and get a simple reactor. There are some simple tumble reactors our there that are complete setups. It will greatly increase the useable surface area and saturate all the carbon at an even rate.

A reactor for carbon is good, but not a tumble reactor. It grinds the granules and creates very fine particles, dust. This should be avoided.

ROB2005 · 10/22/2017, 08:37 PM

I've had great results with Seachem matrix carbon. I just rinse off the dust with RO water before running the tank water through it.

alanbetiger · 10/23/2017, 01:38 PM

There was a study recently about carbon and HLLE so be careful with cheap dusty stuff
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog...r-hlle-disease

FirstContact · 10/23/2017, 07:02 PM

I use the large particle size, but I use it post ozone reactor. 3 cups lasts 3 months.

Dmorty217 · 10/24/2017, 08:20 AM

Seachem Matrix and Rox are the best

10/19/2017, 12:59 PM	#1
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Which carbon? Not sure which activated cabin to use, what's the difference between the larger carbon and the finner grades to the reef specs? I just want some to put in a mesh bag in my sump. I can get 2kg of the larger carbon pellets (non branded) cheap.

10/19/2017, 01:12 PM	#2
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	If you want it to be effective, run a reactor, they aren't that expensive. I've used Bulk Reef Supply ROX before, and it is good stuff. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

10/19/2017, 01:41 PM	#3
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	I can't cite the study, but ROX is one of the best performers for the dollar. I looked into this a while a go and I tend to research the heck out of things. Check posts by Boomer on carbon and you'll probably find it. __________________ Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints. Current Tank Info: 250g starphire: 72x28x30, BeanAnimal drain with an oversized non-durso emergency drain, 4 inch DSB, 3x Reefbreeders Value LED fixtures, SWC/MSX 300A skimmer, Geo kalk reactor, 3 Vortechs w/bb, carbon reactor, and a RKL

10/20/2017, 11:38 PM	#8
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	I like the BRS because it is so easy to clean. Carbon dust is something you don't want in your tank. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

10/22/2017, 08:37 PM	#18
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	I've had great results with Seachem matrix carbon. I just rinse off the dust with RO water before running the tank water through it. __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

10/20/2017, 03:24 PM	#4
tzylak Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 457	Try CNZ Economy Activated Pond Carbon, $27 for 10 pounds!! http://www.amazon.com/CNZ-Economy-Ac.../dp/B00B77WCYC I am happy with it. Every month or so I just rinse it and swap it with the old one in the sump.

10/20/2017, 06:55 PM	#6
PsychoticBeauty Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Gotham City Posts: 123	FWIW I use the Aquaclear inserts for a 20 gallon tank. I think I can get a pack of 3 for like $6.50. Being that I replace them once a month, a years worth only cost me like $30. No muss no fuss... It's all good.

10/20/2017, 07:01 PM	#7
Bronx19 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 223	As per BRS, ROX0.8. Its a beast, don't over do it.

10/22/2017, 09:56 AM	#16
jubei2006 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newton, nc Posts: 68	If you're going to bother with carbon get a good quality like what others are posting and get a simple reactor. There are some simple tumble reactors our there that are complete setups. It will greatly increase the useable surface area and saturate all the carbon at an even rate.

10/23/2017, 01:38 PM	#19
alanbetiger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Aubrey, TX USA Posts: 33	There was a study recently about carbon and HLLE so be careful with cheap dusty stuff http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog...r-hlle-disease

10/23/2017, 07:02 PM	#20
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	I use the large particle size, but I use it post ozone reactor. 3 cups lasts 3 months. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

10/24/2017, 08:20 AM	#21
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Seachem Matrix and Rox are the best __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs