Rox carbon stills needs rinsing before use

[cardiffgiant]

Gary, I just looked at the picture that you took and that seems like quite a bit of carbon dust for ROX, compared to the batch that I have. I use the method that you are using to rinse it before I put it in my daughters freshwater tank, and I don't notice that much carbon dust in the water. I almost wonder if there is something up with your batch (in which case I would replace the smily post it with a frowny one).

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

have you ever rinsed a gallon and a half of ROX all at once, Ben? :spin1:

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

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)

you're the main reason I started this thread, Shawna

 

[Johnny C]

Gary, yours is definatly unusually black. I too use BRS rox carbon and rinse, but it doesn't look nearly as dark as yours.

PS- Was the smiley face really necessary? HAHA, only you Gary, only you!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Gary, yours is definatly unusually black. I too use BRS rox carbon and rinse, but it doesn't look nearly as dark as yours.

PS- Was the smiley face really necessary? HAHA, only you Gary, only you!

yeah... sheesh. I'm sorry.

BTW the picture was photoshopped















(better add that I'm just kidding)
sheesh. What am I dealing with around here?

 

[diverdick]

Interesting thread.

I recently decided to return to using Rox.08 carbon. I tried to reduce some costs going with a cheaper, dirtier carbon. It only took about 10 weeks to change my mind. The washing of the cheaper carbon was a real PITA for sure. I never really got it all I am certain. The shear volume of the cheaper stuff filled my reactors. The end result was moderate improvement in water clarity. As for the Rox, as you all have noted, it is so far superior to off brands,quality that not choosing it is a real stretch.

As for the rinsing, I rinse "very lightly" and do not see much, if any discoloration of the effluent water in the SS sink. I have gone to dry filling of my reactor and simply running ~ 2.5 gallons of sea water into a bucket before turning the flow back over to the system. Under those conditions, Typically, it seems hard to say there is much discoloration. I have seen where if I disturb the carbon with greater force (i.e. really shake it around causing higher levels of friction between the pellets, there is invariably more fines. I do try to be gentle while rinsing and am sure the reactor is not tumbling heavily.

All things being equal, carbon is a brittle material and can make fines no matter how much it costs.

Have fun!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

good points.

Rox still creates less fines than the other brands of carbon IME.
Matrix carbon is a good alternative choice to Rox IMO.
It does state on the Rox label that it should be rinsed prior to use.

 

[cardiffgiant]

LOL, a gallon and a half of ROX lasts me over a year. I'll have to start saving up my fines now, and update this thread in 2011 with a comparison shot :lol:

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

LOL, a gallon and a half of ROX lasts me over a year. I'll have to start saving up my fines now, and update this thread in 2011 with a comparison shot :lol:

:hammer:
:lolspin:

 

[tmz]

I rinse it briefly under running tap water before use in the canister filter.For the amount in the brs reactor , I just run a gallon of tank water into a bucket.

 

[toddmh]

I just changed my rox today and soaked it,it did indeed have dust on it..but not alot..