activated carbon -- is it all the same ?

[RioReefr]

I am looking to buy some activated carbon and there are so many to choose from (coconut-shells, steam-activated, dust-free, blah, blah) -- are they all basically the same?

 

[RobZilla04]

Essentially though exhaustion rate and effectiveness will range with no way to detect differences other than your observations of the water clarity. Go with the bulk cheap stuff and change every so often.

Discussion here might be worth checking out http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2679656

 

[reefgeezer]

The quality of activated carbon (sometimes called charcoal) varies greatly. Some cheap department store brands even have contaminates in them. Use "Granulated Activated Carbon" (GAC). I prefer the bulk stuff from Bulk Reef Supply. Most aquarium supply manufacturers have a similar product that has good quality though. Just look for the Granulated Activated Carbon description and you are probably fine.

 

[jlmawp]

I use Kent Marine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006L48COK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It seems to work really well, is decently-priced, and lasts quite a while before needing to be replaced. The only thing is I would recommend soaking it in some RO/DI water for 5 minutes first to get all the powder off of it.

Most brands/kinds will be fairly comparable though.

 

[RioReefr]

I decided to order some called "MarineLand Black Diamond". It was only $3.83 as an add-on product, so that is a good deal.

https://www.amazon.com/MarineLand-Diamond-Premium-Activated-Carbon/dp/B0002566WE/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1531351379&sr=1-1&keywords=marineland%2Bcarbon&th=1