Activated carbon being magnetic?

joeyhatch11 · Nov 15, 2015

Just noticed tonight that my carbon in a CPR tumbler looked "funny". So i took it off line for inspection. Sure enough a few pieces had an odd color to them, like a brown rust color. Out came the magnet and sure enough it stuck right to it. Now ive been using the same Ebay supplier for 4yrs now for my carbon and have never seen this before. With both of my tanks using it i quickly pulled both off line for inspection.

Has anyone had this happen before? Is this odd to see? Ive read on line prior to this post that some have seen or had this happen before. Thoughts? Thanks guys, Joe

joeyhatch11 · Nov 16, 2015

Morning bump

Downbeach · Nov 16, 2015

Are you sure its not a mix of GAC and GFO? Can you post the ebay suppliers page/description?

joeyhatch11 · Nov 16, 2015

http://www.ebay.com/itm/25125093542...49&var=550224826244&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I've been using this for 4yrs without a single issue. What has me concerned is I have a new tank, roughly 3 months old, that's been cloudy from day 1 and has yet to clear up. It was yesterday afternoon I noticed the odd colored pieces and pulled my CPR tumbler off-line to inspect them. I also opened another bag this morning and found 2 more smaller pieces that are discolored and they too are magnetic but at the same time, so are the other pieces within the bag.

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 16, 2015

I suppose it could either be contaminated with GFO or there could be some metallic debris from the extrusion process. Either way, it doesn't appear that it should be magnetic from the Ebay posting.

miyags · Nov 16, 2015

I saw similar posts on here a few months ago,but cant find them. I think it was a well known brand.

miyags · Nov 16, 2015

joeyhatch11 said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251250935424?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&var=550224826244&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I've been using this for 4yrs without a single issue. What has me concerned is I have a new tank, roughly 3 months old, that's been cloudy from day 1 and has yet to clear up. It was yesterday afternoon I noticed the odd colored pieces and pulled my CPR tumbler off-line to inspect them. I also opened another bag this morning and found 2 more smaller pieces that are discolored and they too are magnetic but at the same time, so are the other pieces within the bag.

Cloudy water sounds like a bacterial bloom. Uv sterilizer will take care of that in 3to4 days.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 16, 2015

I wouldn't use it. It's not worth the risk from a no name vendor who may change suppliers frequently.

.AcroKiller. · Nov 16, 2015

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/stay-away-from-deep-blue-carbon.192949/

chaoha · Nov 16, 2015

That happens to me with Marineland Carbon. I switched to BRS and no more problems

joeyhatch11 · Nov 16, 2015

Yeah I read a few post on-line last night, different sites, where people had similar issues with quite a few brands. I emailed the vendor on Ebay explaining the issue. Going to see what they say but like I mentioned before, its the first time I'm seeing this in the 4trs I've been using it. Like Randy said though they may be switching vendors and QC seems to be lacking somewhere.

miyags · Nov 16, 2015

Is it coming in with the pellet form of carbon?. Or the granular? What I saw It was the granular.

joeyhatch11 · Nov 16, 2015

joeyhatch11 · Nov 16, 2015

This is what I was seeing in the bag that had me concerned. But turns out its ALL like that. I even opened another bag and the same thing, ever piece. INSANE!!!

oldsaint · Nov 16, 2015

It is my understanding the pelletized carbon is more geared for use in a vapor/air application rather than a liquid. I would definitely consider a better source.

joeyhatch11 · Nov 16, 2015

Going to order some BRS Rox carbon. Seeing that I'm only using it now for 1 week a month, it should last a very long time.

Downbeach · Nov 16, 2015

BRS will be having their black friday sales soon. I used to buy all my chem's (CaCl/Soda Ash, etc.)and media's (GAC/GFO, etc.) for the year at this time. It might be a good idea to get together with some local reefers and do the same, to save on both the sale pricing and the quantity purchase pricing.

joeyhatch11 · Nov 16, 2015

Downbeach said:
BRS will be having their black friday sales soon. I used to buy all my chem's (CaCl/Soda Ash, etc.)and media's (GAC/GFO, etc.) for the year at this time. It might be a good idea to get together with some local reefers and do the same, to save on both the sale pricing and the quantity purchase pricing.

Its a shame your 180 isn't still up and running or Id go in with you if you needed a few things. LOL

Downbeach · Nov 16, 2015

joeyhatch11 said:
Its a shame your 180 isn't still up and running or Id go in with you if you needed a few things. LOL

Go on NJRC, and see if others would be interested. The combination of the sale pricing and buying in bulk is about the least expensive way to get quality products.

joeyhatch11 · Nov 17, 2015

Please tell me what you think. This is what I received back from the Ebay seller in response to my carbon issue.

Dear joeyhatch11,

Hello, our active carbon is made of coal, and the coal contains some iron inside, that's why the active carbon could stick onto the magnet, it is normal, so please don't worry about it, thank you.
Laura

- cll_petsupplies