Which Activated Carbon Do You Use?

[CCK_8814]

So I went to go get another bag of the Carbon I’ve been using from my LFS because I had run out and tomorrow is water change day but apparently it’s no longer available. So my question is what activated Carbon is everyone using? I’ve been using the Acurel Activated Carbon Pellets (pic attached) mainly because they were available at the LFS literally across from my house and it’s cheap. I run Carbon due to keeping several different types of BTA’s which like to go to war with each other at times. Because of this I have to change my carbon bag out every 3-4 days. So input as to which Carbon everyone is using would help. I was thinking maybe Chemi-Pure? Is it regenerable? Thanks in advance!

 

[miPapareef]

I use the ROX 0.8 from BRS. Almost no dust, rinses clean with only few cups of RODI, and I need only 1/2 cup every 2 weeks.

 

[UCF Alum]

Rox from BRS.
A little pricey but very effective.

 

[Brett newell]

I started using aquamaxx rox .8 from amazon a while back when brs was out of stock. It's a little cheaper and I haven't noticed a difference.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

ROX0.8 is the best, followed by any lignite based carbon. Bituminous coal based carbon, & any carbon sourced from a material that isnt coal i.e. coconut, wood, is useless for aquarium purposes.
And when rinsing the dust from new GAC before use, its not necessary to use RODI water. Tap water is fine.

 

[CCK_8814]

So sounds like rox.8 is the general consensus. I’m guessing none of my LFS will have it in stock so now I’ll ask what would you recommend I use for the time being? I have water changes tomorrow so need something to get me by for that. As I mentioned I have to change carbon every 3-4 days due to warfare but changing tomorrow should get me through till some rox 8 comes in.

 

[CCK_8814]

Also, because my tank is so packed is another reason I run carbon. What about purigen or chemi pure? Anyone have experience with either? I know purigen can be regenerated. Maybe get around 3 bags of it and alternate between them? Pic of tank attached to show what I mean when I say tank is packed.

 

[UCF Alum]

I love chemi pure elite, especially in my reactor. Kept the water crystal clear. That will suffice until you get Rox. Go to BRS and order, it should ship out tomorrow. They are quick!

Not a big fan of purigen.
Each to their own though.

 

[PDR]

Rox 0.8

 

[CCK_8814]

I love chemi pure elite, especially in my reactor. Kept the water crystal clear. That will suffice until you get Rox. Go to BRS and order, it should ship out tomorrow. They are quick!

Not a big fan of purigen.
Each to their own though.

Do you remove it from the bag to run in a reactor? I’ve heard of purigen reactors, is the setup similar, slow flow to create a gentle tumble?

 

[UCF Alum]

Do you remove it from the bag to run in a reactor? I’ve heard of purigen reactors, is the setup similar, slow flow to create a gentle tumble?

No. Do not remove from the bag. Chemipures instructions state why you shouldn’t, but I don’t recall. I run it in the reactor in the sock it comes with.
You do not need to tumble chemipure like you do GFO. I run the reactor wide open.

 

[JMetaxas]

BRS Large Lignite and BRS Rox .8. I run half of what is "recommended" and it works great.

 

[CCK_8814]

Ok thanks everyone. I’m hoping with the rox08 I can cut down the size of my normal carbon bag (current bag runs around 1/2lb) so cost won’t go through the roof to replace it as often as I have been.

 

[Brett newell]

I used to use purigen. I stopped because rox .8 is cheaper and is more effective for chemical warfare.
I never regenerated the purigen. Just bought the big bottle and ran half dose in a sock for about 2 weeks between changes.
To get by waiting on the rox, purigen is an option, or see if your LFS has marineland carbon or something like that. I use the marineland ln FW tanks, it's quite fragile so be careful not to crush it in tank

 

[CCK_8814]

One of the LFS by me carries a lot of brs stuff so maybe I’ll get lucky and they’ll have it in stock when I stop in tomorrow.

 

[CCK_8814]

So what’s the difference between the BRS ROX 0.8 & AquaMaxx ROX 0.8?

 

[Potatohead]

So what’s the difference between the BRS ROX 0.8 & AquaMaxx ROX 0.8?

Very likely nothing

 

[JMetaxas]

So what’s the difference between the BRS ROX 0.8 & AquaMaxx ROX 0.8?

I'm sure, nothing.

 

[DSC reef]

I recommend checking out red sea reef spec carbon. Little dust, easy to use. Put the carbon in a bag, rinse and into the sump.

 

[CCK_8814]

I recommend checking out red sea reef spec carbon. Little dust, easy to use. Put the carbon in a bag, rinse and into the sump.

I’ll check it out.