Should I Use Seachem Matrix Carbon?

[reeftankdude]

I could get three times more Marineland Black Diamond carbon for the price of 250mL of Seachem Matrix carbon. Is it worth it? thanks all

 

[homer1475]

In this case, you get what you pay for.

Both are fine to use, the seachem stuff is of better quality, and has little to no dust. Carbon dust has been linked to HLLE, as well as an irritant to corals.

The marineland stuff is of obviously lower quality(just by price comparison), and full of dust.

Rinse either well, and you should be fine.

 

[Radicalrob1982]

Honestly the stuff works too well. If you need nitrate don't run it. But if you need a low nutrient system I would definitely use it. I use it on my 20 long and it works great at keeping the nitrate level stable. Honestly I was doing a water change every two months with barely detectable nitrate until I started dosing it. Now it holds my nitrate stable at around 8 to 12 roughly. Also that's as long as you rinse it out each water change to remove all the debris and chunks

 

[homer1475]

Carbon will not remove nitrates. Sorry thats just wrong info.

 

[ReefGeezer]

If I had to choose... Matrix

 

[bruno3047]

When I was using carbon, I always used the Matrix. BRS did some research and it revealed that the Matrix was the second best quality carbon available, after their Rox carbon. The Marineland was among the worst. The research is online someplace, you can probably find it if you dig around. I stopped using carbon and now use Purigen.

 

[jda]

It won't matter too much, depending on what you are using it for. Most just use it to clear up water and remove the yellow - they all work well for this. If you have a more specialized use, then the type might matter.

I just buy carbon in the 5 gallon bucket. It all works the same for me, so I don't buy the cheapest since it is more dusty, but some near the bottom of the price range.