What do you think of the lower quality bulk carbon from ebay? I know you advocate that carbon only last 3-4 days, and I'm in agreemnet. My tank looks amazing for 3-5 days after I put a bag of carbon. Ebay has 55 pounds of fish tank activated carbon for $70 shipped. This is obviously not as high quality, but I mean if your changing it every 5 or 6 days, it doesn't make that much of a difference, does it?
lower quality carbon
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Wolf89
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This is what I'm looking at:
50 lbs Bulk Activated Carbon Premium Aquarium Filter Media Pond Reef Canister | eBay
Safe for freshwater and marine aquarium. CFS 500 GPH Canister Filter External Aquarium Freshwater Marine 75 100 g Odyssea. 350 DX GPH Powerhead Filter Water Pump Aquarium Fish 1300 L 40-60 Gal Odyssea.
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BRS did an "Investigates" video on the effectiveness of several common aquarium carbons. I can't seem to find it now. The differences between their effectiveness was pretty dramatic, but they all worked to a certain degree.
I use bulk lignite carbon from BRS. I get it in 5g buckets. I replace it every month or so. I've been at this hobby for 30+ years now and have never heard anyone say carbon will only last 3-4 days.
I can't speak to the quality of the carbon you are getting from ebay, but at least IME, you tend to get what you pay for.
I can't speak to the quality of the carbon you are getting from ebay, but at least IME, you tend to get what you pay for.
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homer1475
Figuring out the hobby one coral at a time.
I would say it also depends on the fish you keep. While there is no concrete evidence that carbon dust causes HLLE, I have seen it in my own tank with cheap carbon, as have others.
As long as you rinse it well so there is no dust left, I can't see what harm it would do.
As long as you rinse it well so there is no dust left, I can't see what harm it would do.
WindyCityReefer.
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As previously stated, BRS did a series looking at the different carbon options. Personally, I use ROX 0.8 carbon in a mesh bag with great results. But, I have a smaller setup so I use very little in comparison to people with large water volumes. All carbon will pull contaminates from the water, but some will work more quickly/efficiently than others. In addition, your choices will depend on how you plan to use them - in a reactor or in a mesh bag.
You can definitely use carbon for longer periods of time. If you are replacing it every 3-5 days with new carbon, you will be going through it way too fast!
You can definitely use carbon for longer periods of time. If you are replacing it every 3-5 days with new carbon, you will be going through it way too fast!
