Any op's on decent activated carbon ???

cracker · Oct 20, 2016

I just ran out of an old jar of Marine land black diamond. What's a decent mid range $ carbon for general purpose ? Now I understand pellets are good for this and other is best for that. Thanks for any OP's

Myka · Oct 20, 2016

Pick a hard, heavy pellet. It's not as aggressive, but it isn't as likely to cause HLLE either which I think is more important.

jason2459 · Oct 20, 2016

I look for acid washed.

BRS lignite is ok. Rox is better. The filter guys GAC. TLF hydrocarbon is good along with seachem matrix. ( I believe it was highlandreefer from another forum that had a great breakdown on GAC. Old thread. Edit: It was boomer but highlandreefer was involved as was Randy as well)
Edit:
Rinse well but not forcefully, do not crush, and do not tumble.

Edit edit edit edit: Here it is, one of my favorite threads discussing GAC
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1231262&highlight=rox+8

cracker · Oct 20, 2016

Thanks ! wow Boomer's thread was informative to say the least !

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 20, 2016

I recommend Rox 0.8 activated carbon. I used Marineland Black Diamond (still have some) for years and may have had issues from it, although I cannot say with certainty.

cracker · Oct 20, 2016

Thank You Sirs !

Cory · Oct 20, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I recommend Rox 0.8 activated carbon. I used Marineland Black Diamond (still have some) for years and may have had issues from it, although I cannot say with certainty.

What sort of suspected issues?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 21, 2016

Cory said:
What sort of suspected issues?

HLLE-like issues in tangs. Not sure if it was the GAC, the ozone, or the combination, but stopping both eliminated the issue.

Rybren · Oct 21, 2016

FWIW, I used the Black Diamond for 3 or 4 years with no issue.

3lusive · Oct 21, 2016

What about the Red Sea reef spec carbon , or is it still too new to tell ?

jason2459 · Oct 21, 2016

3lusive said:
What about the Red Sea reef spec carbon , or is it still too new to tell ?

Is it acid washed?

3lusive · Oct 21, 2016

jason2459 said:
Is it acid washed?

jason2459 · Oct 21, 2016

I don't see it specified on their website. Lots of good marketing.

I've sent them a query if their Reef Spec Carbon is acid washed or not.

3lusive · Oct 21, 2016

jason2459 said:
I don't see it specified on their website. Lots of good marketing.

I've sent them a query if their Reef Spec Carbon is acid washed or not.

Yeah I couldn't find it anywhere

cracker · Oct 21, 2016

That's a good move Gentlemen. If They don't respond, Ya got Your answer.

Myka · Oct 22, 2016

What does acid washing do?

I've never understood why people like the Rox carbon. I hate that stuff. I bought a big jug from BRS, struggled through half of it and finally gave it away.

EDIT: Acid washing does this?? https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/washing-activated-carbon

@Randy Holmes-Farley, is there a recipe (water volume/carbon weight/time span, etc) to check carbon for phosphate?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 22, 2016

Why did you hate it?

Myka · Oct 22, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Why did you hate it?

Rox is so tiny and lightweight it floats around in a reactor. It's ok in a bag.

For reactors, I've liked using Acurel because it is very hard, heavy, and not dusty. It is not as efficient as expensive carbons, but I'm more concerned about dust and weight. Though now I'm wondering if there may be phosphate concerns with Acurel. I don't see Acurel mentioned in Boomer's thread. Another brand I've liked is Brightwell's Carbonit-P pelletized carbon.