What brand carbon do you believe in??

[murphd3]

I am putting in an order for some dry goods and need more carbon. Just wondering what brand everyone is using and why. Any specific pros/cons on esv, tlf, and kent would be great!

Thanks,
Murphy

 

[Gawain1974]

Black Diamond Reef Carbon

 

[tangwang]

I like the ESV carbon.... It doesn't seem as dusty, so you don't have to rinse it for very long, and it works well. It also gives you a lot number and all of the carbon properties on the label...





Matt

 

[DaveC]

I prefer the Black Diamond from Marineland, but if my LFS happens to be out of that I have no problem going with the ESV as my 2nd option, both are good carbon


DaveC

 

[TANGBOY5000]

I prefer the repackaged black diamond from WalMart. Same stuff at a third the price.

 

[Potsy]

I use Super Activated Carbon.

If you do a search you might find a thread that features a study that compared the cost-effectiveness of the major brands with a nice comparison chart. It measured absorption ability vs. price.

Hydrocarbon was found to be the most effective carbon and Super Activated was a close second. I use the Super because its much cheaper than the expensive Hydrocarbon.

 

[PrangeWay]

Carbon

Carbon

Run a google search, there have been a few studies...


Seachem Matrix consistently rates out the best, but also the most expensive. I mostly stick with Marineland Black Diamond , half the price and a 2nd place finisher to Matrix in tests.

 

[sulp]

Shoot! I just bought new carbon and can't think of the name. It's by far the best I have ever used. Very little dust and totally rinsed in about 5 seconds. I'll post the name when I get home tonight.

 

[jarice1978]

have a question.

I recently got rid of my Penguin Emperor powerfilter with Carbon. I now am running a AquaC Remora hang-on and a CPR Aquafuge hang on refugium. This means that I no longer have carbon running. Is there some way I can add it to my sytem? Maybe but a bag in the refugium, or the skimmer? Has anyone ever done this? I noticed that since I removed the powerfilter, a fishy smell has been coming from the tank.



Adam

 

[TANGBOY5000]

You should be able to run a bag of carbon in your fuge, it would probably be better in the input, rather than the return.

 

[FishyBiz]

I recently bought some BLUE WORLD super active carbon from the LFS and I belive it is the reason my tank looks so good. The water was yellowish and now it couldnt be cleaner. It looks outstanding. Only like $4 a box.

 

[swashbuckler]

i bought a huge container of pro-carb Z by penn-plax, i know - i got it for my liverock curing vat- but now i have tons left and use it on the reef- works great! it was real cheap too- but black diamond is one of the best out there however.

 

[Pike]

Thank you Tangboy!!!! $5.47 for 900ml & it's made here in the USA so I can still maintain my WalMart-smugness

 

[loyalty]

have a question.

I recently got rid of my Penguin Emperor powerfilter with Carbon. I now am running a AquaC Remora hang-on and a CPR Aquafuge hang on refugium. This means that I no longer have carbon running. Is there some way I can add it to my sytem? Maybe but a bag in the refugium, or the skimmer? Has anyone ever done this? I noticed that since I removed the powerfilter, a fishy smell has been coming from the tank.



Adam

yeah i run my carbon bags in my aquafuge too

 

[swashbuckler]

tangboy- can you give me more info on this walmart black diamond carbon- sounds interesting.. we're would you find it typically? employees prob wouldnt know what the heck im talking about.. no offense to walmart employees.

 

[Pike]

In the pet department, with the aquarium supplies, beside the ammo-chips. I just bought a container of it.

 

[swashbuckler]

In the pet department, with the aquarium supplies, beside the ammo-chips. I just bought a container of it.

who's the maker of the carbon?

 

[tangwang]

It is Regent brand carbon, which is packaged by marineland.

 

[murphd3]

Thanks for all the info everyone! I would like to buy in bulk if it would save money. The esv goes for $20/4# while the Kent goes for $70/20#. I try to buy everything possible online to keep from paying Pres. Bush's bills (tax). Anyone know if I can get the black diamond in a larger quantity online (also hate to support Wal-Mart if possible).

 

[Melody]

Another vote for black diamond carbon.