Rox carbon stills needs rinsing before use

[Gary Majchrzak]

BRS Rox carbon is good stuff. Maybe the best choice for a reef aquarium.
Despite what others might advise- don't use it without rinsing it first. There are carbon fines that will come out of a new batch and it's the carbon fines that can cause problems with your fishes IME.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Quick question

Quick question

Do you rinse under tap, or do you use RO/DI water for the rinse?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

either.

I don't think it matters much. Maybe I'm wrong but (IMO) my RO water is to precious to use for rinsing carbon so I use tap.

 

[diverdick]

Gary, What what types of problems have you seen with lack of rinsing the Rox.08?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

none.
I always rinse carbon before using it

I have seen several cases in other aquariums where carbon fines have UNDOUBTEDLY caused HILLE.

 

[TimmyNY]

HILLE ?

Tim

 

[aquadonkey]

I have seen several cases in other aquariums where carbon fines have UNDOUBTEDLY caused HILLE.

I looked up HILLE in the acronym section and couldn't find it....
definition please?

 

[nwrogers]

Maybe he meant Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

yep. HLLE = HILLE = hole in the head/lateral line erosion

 

[talon4x4]

I can see why people would say there's no need to rinse it. 'Cause when you do, you don't see any black in the water (unlike the Black Diamond stuff I used to use). I do rinse mine every time though.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I can see why people would say there's no need to rinse it. 'Cause when you do, you don't see any black in the water

do I need to take a picture?

 

[superkat]

:lolspin:

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

don't laugh.

I HAD taken a picture but I deleted it before I started this thread.
(I knew in advance there would be those that doubt.) Oh well- doubt away! :smurf:

 

[superkat]

that's why i'm laughing......

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

more on HILLE = HLLE = MLLE:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.php

incidentally I got to speak to Steven Pro on this subject when he was in town. I've also spoken to other notable aquarists on this subject and we all agree there's a connection between HILLE and carbon fines.

uh... nice avatar, Kat

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Rox fines

Rox fines

carbon fines make the water appear black

 

[superkat]

omg....the postie note....oh my gosh....that made my day!

 

[shawna1972]

Glad you brought this subject up Gary because I use Rox also and have not rinsed it and noticed my hippos have some HLLE now, (not bad) but a touch of it. I didn't know if it was the Carbon or something else? But I always rinsed cheaper carbon but thought that this was premium carbon so no need? Guess I will be rinsing all the time (premium or not)

 

[talon4x4]

do I need to take a picture?

You can take a picture but it won't make a difference to me. I rinsed mine and saw no black. Doesn't mean I won't stop rinsing it, just saying that's probably why some people say there is no need.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I change mine when I do water changes and rinse it with tank water. I set up a new canister for my BRS unit, take the current canister out, put the new one in, direct the output to a 5 gal bucket, and run it for 45-60 seconds. I find that the carbon fines are usually not noticeable after the first few seconds.

I started using this method after watching hte BRS video comparing ROX to the other brands. In the BRS video, the fines from the ROX are definitely visible.