Hey Boomer (MB question)

Thanks! I have a few more questions:

Can you rinse the ROX as you described above the same as the lignite to 'regenerate' it?

If the ROX is 1.7 times as effective as the lignite, it looks like the price is justified, as you'll be able to use less and still achieve the same effect. Ultimately that's what I was wondering, as I don't see the point in paying twice as much for a product that's only 1.5 times as effective :rollface:
 
The problem with Rox is that it's pencil-lead sized, and not very user-friendly (especially for clumsy folks like me). It tends to get caught up in the TLF reactor sponges really easily and clog. When it doesn't clog, it'll end up getting spit out the top of the reactor when an air bubble passes through.

rox-pen.gif


Is there something I can do to avoid this? (i.e. Higher flow rate, put it in a mesh bag inside the reactor, etc) There has to be some trick to it, since so many people are using it.
 
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ROX is a great carbon but even through Bulk Reef Supply its cost is almost 3 times the cost of their good Lignite carbon. Actually 2.667 times as much buying three pounds at a time.
 
One question I always have about this and dont see it mentioned is quantity.

In Marc's example

"I tend to believe it is merely good for a few days, then it is spent"

There is no mention of the quantity used. If you have a 250G system, and use 1/2 cup of GAC or use 5 cups on the same system, doesn't that have a significant effect on how long you can use the GAC?
 
I've never had any of the problems you describe with the ROX carbon. I actually found it more user friendly, because for some reason it doesn't all float to the top of my reactor. And it doesn't get "clogged" nearly as fast for some reason. I doubt I will ever go back to another carbon. Even if it is more money, its still cheap compaired to just about anything else in the hobby.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14999404#post14999404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
One question I always have about this and dont see it mentioned is quantity.

In Marc's example

"I tend to believe it is merely good for a few days, then it is spent"

There is no mention of the quantity used. If you have a 250G system, and use 1/2 cup of GAC or use 5 cups on the same system, doesn't that have a significant effect on how long you can use the GAC?
Click to expand...

I'm using between two and three cups of carbon. A Phosban Reactor holds 3 cups to the top.

Boomer, would you be interested if I sent you a sample of what I have?
 
Thanks Marc. So is there is relationship between qty used, and useful life?

Would 5 cups in a 250G system and 1/2 cup in a 250G system both be spent in a couple days? (serious question).

To me, a TLF reactor full of GAC is a very small amount for a system of your size. I picture that
X amount of a given quality of GAC can absorb X amount of stuff from the water. If you have more water, and more stuff in it to absorb, you need to run more GAC if it is used up too quickly.

I guess my point is how can the the question of does GAC last for a few days or a few weeks be answered without saying what the ratio of GAC to water is?

I'm very interested in this subject as I always wonder how much GAC to run, and how often to change it. I'm running the BRS reactor which I run full in ~ 240G TSV.
 
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First let’s get back to this price thing. It is not 2.677 times more, as it takes 26 lbs of the Lignite to equal 15 lbs of the ROX. So, that is only 1.6 times more. Now if one wants to complain about high costing GAC one needs to look at a very common GAC in this hobby SeaChem Lab Matrix is much more than ROX by a long shot and nowhere near as effective.

SeaChem = $15.49 per liter
ROX 0.8 = $9.24 per liter



Now if we drop that liter thing and go with lbs it is.......


SeaChem =$17.58/ per pound
ROX 0.8 = $11.66 per pound

I'll say it again it is a choice.


As far as quantity to use it is on the order of 1/2 cup / 50 gals. You can use more or less if you like, it is a choice. The amount is dependent on the load the GAC will get from tank x, y or z, flow rate, type of filtering device the GAC is in, mesh size, GAC type etc... And most of this is hit all miss. When I ran tanks it was 1 l / 50 gals of GAC :eek1: Kinda over kill :lol: And let me add there is not a skimmer made that can out pefrom any good GAC in removing organics :) The only down fall for GAC is you have to change it out and buy more GAC :(

I would not being washing ROX with the aggressiveness as granular GAC, as you will end up with a bunch of smaller pieces, which would actually be better but would make it even more user unfriendly. But still rinse it just me more careful.

No Marc I do not need any as it is the GAC you are testing. Some will do better and others will do worse but the test will still show results and may serve as a guide.
 
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Thanks for your additional input Boomer. I really appreciate it.

I don't mind doing this test a few times to see if I get the same results, btw.
 
Yeah, great info. So using the .5 cup/50G ratio, Marc is in the ballpark albeit on the low side. The BRS reactor holds 3 cups, so I'm in the ballpark too, on the high side.

Looking forward to the test results!
 
Yes Jay you could, more like 2/3 of a halfcup / 50 gal. Me, I would still use a 1/2 cup / 50 gal. The "half-cup rule " is for GAC like Matrix, BD and TLF Hydrocarbon (Lignite).
 
That can't be right?! :lol: I think we should go with granules, counting them out seems far more accurate.

Btw, I'm semi serious on my first sentence. If you take a 1/2 cup of carbon and divide it into 3 equal portions, I don't think it will end up with three 1/3 cups worth.

EDIT: You know what? Disregard that. I didn't have nearly enough coffee in me.

Just divide it into three small piles, scoop two small piles into a measuring cup and tell me if he's right. :lol:
 
Yes he's absolutely correct. I was just making sure I was understanding what was being said and it wasn't a misprint.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15011140#post15011140 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
That can't be right?! :lol: I think we should go with granules, counting them out seems far more accurate.

Btw, I'm semi serious on my first sentence. If you take a 1/2 cup of carbon and divide it into 3 equal portions, I don't think it will end up with three 1/3 cups worth.

EDIT: You know what? Disregard that. I didn't have nearly enough coffee in me.

Just divide it into three small piles, scoop two small piles into a measuring cup and tell me if he's right. :lol:
Click to expand...

lol, the first thing I thought after posting that was "Gee, I hope I did the math right." When I started reading your post, I was like, aw crap.
 
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