Best/Safest Carbon for Tangs

[beesnreefs]

I’d like to run carbon in my tank for a bit after a regiment of PraziPro. I have two tangs, though, and know they can be susceptible to HLLE. My understanding is carbon might be a contributing factor so I’m wondering…is there a carbon product that is safer for tangs? Or should I just not risk it?

 

[doubleshot00]

Just make sure its not tumbling and rinse it very well and you should be ok.

I like the BRS stuff they sell.

 

[flashsmith]

Carbon is one of those products that's pretty much universal no matter who's "brand". With that though I buy the marineland stuff. It's cheap and always on sale somewhere and it's nice and chunky. I run it 24/7 in a system with 4 tangs and other bigger fish. Never had a problem.

 

[Rp8]

^^+1^^

 

[exnisstech]

Has it ever been proven that carbon causes hlle or is it another speculation with no evidence? Just curious as there is so much stuff out now and people just repeat because they read it then it becomes fact. Kind of like stray voltage killing stuff but no facts behind it. I have tangs that have been with me for over 6 years and run whatever carbon I find that is cheap and they are fat healthy fish with no signs of hlle.

 

[The_Skrimp]

I’m a fan of BRS’s rox carbon. Works well and doesn’t need much rinsing.

 

[SPS2020]

I’m a fan of BRS’s rox carbon. Works well and doesn’t need much rinsing.

Same here, it has very minimal dust and rinses easily.

 

[HBtank]

Has it ever been proven that carbon causes hlle or is it another speculation with no evidence? Just curious as there is so much stuff out now and people just repeat because they read it then it becomes fact. Kind of like stray voltage killing stuff but no facts behind it. I have tangs that have been with me for over 6 years and run whatever carbon I find that is cheap and they are fat healthy fish with no signs of hlle.

There is good evidence of it in a study by the Toledo Zoo which is now referenced by credible people in the hobby.

https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15222055.2011.635781

As others have mentioned, I also recommend the BRS Rox 0.8 carbon. I have used lots and it is by far the cleanest carbon and generally just really good all around.

 

[beesnreefs]

There is good evidence of it in a study by the Toledo Zoo which is now referenced by credible people in the hobby.

https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15222055.2011.635781

As others have mentioned, I also recommend the BRS Rox 0.8 carbon. I have used lots and it is by far the cleanest carbon and generally just really good all around.

Thanks for sharing this!

Just to confirm, you have been using BRS Rox carbon and have not any issues with HLLE?

 

[LAReefer4Life]

I’m a fan of BRS’s rox carbon. Works well and doesn’t need much rinsing.

+1

 

[HBtank]

Thanks for sharing this!

Just to confirm, you have been using BRS Rox carbon and have not any issues with HLLE?

Yes, I never have. I think may be because I previously almost exclusively used seachem matrix carbon which is also acid washed, shaped (spherical) and also pretty clean. But Rox is even better.

I also have never really kept the most sensitive tangs. Always have a species of bristletooth though.

 

[exnisstech]

There is good evidence of it in a study by the Toledo Zoo which is now referenced by credible people in the hobby.

https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15222055.2011.635781

Thanks for sharing

 

[beesnreefs]

Yes, I never have. I think may be because I previously almost exclusively used seachem matrix carbon which is also acid washed, shaped (spherical) and also pretty clean. But Rox is even better.

I also have never really kept the most sensitive tangs. Always have a species of bristletooth though.

Thanks. I really appreciate all you're sharing here.

I currently have a Gem and White Tailed Bristletooth. I don't think either are among the most sensitive types but still want to be as cautious as I can. Especially since the Bristletooth is recovering from a bad bout of flukes (black ich)

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I use Red Sea carbon in DT and Fluval in QT. No adverse effects. More than picking a brand I’d recommend using half the dose for your aquarium size to start with.

 

[HBtank]

I use Red Sea carbon in DT and Fluval in QT. No adverse effects. More than picking a brand I’d recommend using half the dose for your aquarium size to start with.

Agree with this too, I believe many overdo carbon. When you really read the recommended amounts it is pretty minimal.

 

[exnisstech]

https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15222055.2011.635781

@Jay Hemdal I wonder what amounts carbon they were exposed to? Was it small amounts like we would run in our systems or excessive amounts more than normal aquarium use?

 

[Spare time]

Just avoid cruddy lignite based carbon. BRS ROX carbon is the cleanest from my experience IF tightly packed in a reactor. I run water through the reactor into the drain after rinsing the carbon in the container.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15222055.2011.635781

@Jay Hemdal I wonder what amounts carbon they were exposed to? Was it small amounts like we would run in our systems or excessive amounts more than normal aquarium use?

We used two types of carbon - a standard lignite carbon and then a bulk pelleted carbon. If I recall both came from Aquatic Ecosystems. Carbon sold for aquariums is always just repackaged product from various industries. The amount of carbon used is listed in the paper, the amount came from a reference by Stephen Spotte’s books. I forget the amount, but it wasn’t excessive.
The lignite carbon had devastating effects on the fish. The pelleted carbon fish had very minor symptoms, but erosion was noted through histopathology. The control fish had no symptoms and clean histopathology.
Rinsed pelleted carbon seems the best choice.
Jay

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks Jay