What brand of carbon do you use?

[sparkey65]

thanks darrell where can i get that?

 

[reefcam]

Well just retested the HBH Brand of High Density Carbon and the Salifert test showed a slight hint of blue. About 0.03 ppm after 24 hours of soaking. The first test that tesed 0.5 ppm was after 48 hours of soaking. Guess this brand will not be for me. But wanted to let others know.

I also like to use this thread at the end of the day to hopefully create a incomprehensive list of Carbons and ones that leech phosphate. I konw there's PO4 source everywhere, but trying to eliminate many of the source will help reduce build-ups. JMO.

Jim

 

[Tomzpc]

I use Kent Marine but have never tested it. I used to use Chemi-Pure (for years) until I realized that I couldn't tell if it really did anything that plain old GAC couldn't do so why keep paying SO much more $.

 

[Darrell Ward]

Sparkey, almost any aquarium supply store that sells SeaChem products. Last time I bought some was at www.customaquatic.com

 

[reefcam]

what about SeaChem Matrix Carbon? Anyone using it? I have a bucket left so I'm testing for PO4 leech as well as Black Diamond, but will suspect both are undetectable. At least SeaChem does nto claim PO4 free, but <0.01, which the Salifert test will not test that low level.

 

[Aged Salt]

Jim, plz. post your results on the above two GAC's, thnx. Bob

 

[apophis924]

s13silvia, thanks for the reference. Ahh, but there wasn't a poll. j/k :lol:

Since PO4 has been a sensitive subject with me, I'm trying to find an inexpensive alternative to activated carbon and also use it in my RO/DI unit. I am currently packing Black Diamond in a refillable cartridge and using it as the carbon filtration in my RO/DI unit. So far so good, but can get costly over time.

Reefcam if you are using carbon in your ro/di unit. PO4 should not be a problem since the carbon oin ro/di units primary function is the removal of chlorine and chloriames that would damage the ro membrane. Once the water passeds thru the ro membrane and the DI filter any po4 should have been cught by the di resins. if your o/di water is still showing PO4 the problem might be in the di resisn themelves.

 

[reefcam]

apophis924, I completely agree with you on the DI will remove any phosphate, but if the carbon doesn't leech any PO4, then that will be one less element the DI will need to remove.

I'm also using carbon in my tank and also run Phosban, but would prefer if Phosban is removing PO4 that I'm adding as a result of feeding and not because I'm running carbon. If they are claiming PO4 free, then I would expect the PO4 release to be very very low. SeaChem claims to be very low in PO4 release, < 0.000001, which to me says, your Salifert test kit will not detect it, cause I don't have a scientific grade test kit.

Aged Salt, will do. I think I'm going to let the carbon sit for 48 hours like I did initially with the HBH carbon.

I just wonder if any have thought of using Purigen in their RO/DI unit.

 

[GSchiemer]

Don't be so quick to assume that your RO/DI unit will remove inorganic PO4. Many do not. The RO membrance won't remove it and most DI resins do a poor job because it's weakly ionized.

Greg

 

[Aged Salt]

Interesting post, Greg, thnx. How do you prepare your reef water? Bob

 

[luger]

Black Diamond

 

[jackson6745]

Something about HydroCarbon by two little fishes gives your water that extra sparkle that the others brands don't give........

I don't know....maybe I'm crazy:lol:

 

[Krusty Krabb]

Kent Marine !!!

 

[apophis924]

I see your point reefcam. if the product says phosphate free than it should be phosphate free not almost phosphate free. Cuz i am sure these people would not enjoy us paying just part of the retail price and saying "well it is almost the full payment" My tnaks i use cheato algea in a fuge and phosban to handle my phosphates. Using purigen in the ro.di unit might be the answer but that could be quite costly indeed. My Ro/Di unit might not remove all of the phosphate ion because of its weak charge but as long as the testing methods avail to me cannot detect it thats good enough for me. If they come out with a commercial test kit that can meadsure it beyond what is avail now you can be sure that i will be on the line to the ro/di folks asking them about filters/resins that remove phosphates to MY satisfaction.

 

[jackson6745]

Just came across this article

http://www.pets-warehouse.com/carbon.htm

The most effective carbon for color removal (HYDROCARBON) is the least used carbon on this poll.....

 

[reefcam]

saw that, and also the most expensive... wonder where you can get Calgon carbon? Also which brand of Seachem (GAC, Matrix Carbon, or Purigen).. probably not Purigen as that cost more than HydroCarbon

 

[invincible569]

Kent.

The only thing that bothers me about carbon is knowing when to change it. Its all a guess for me and dotn know if it soaked up all that it could within a matter of days or if there is still life in the media for weeks to come.

How many of you find this graph to be correct (Source: Pet Warehouse):

 

[reefcam]

Okay, after 48 hours of soaking MarineLand and SeaChem Matrix Carbon, here are the results:

MarineLand Not detectable (yeah)
SeaChem Matrix Carbon Between 0.5 - 1.0 (can't tell between the blue shades).

Guess I'll be sticking with Marineland for the time being.

 

[Tagareef]

Thanks reefcam...guess I'll be sticking with MarineLand!

 

[reefcam]

You welcome... me too. I was very shocked to see the test kit turn blue when on the bucket it claims < 0.00001 and even at < 0.01 I would accept that, but that's not what my test kit shows.

I'm going to check on Purigen and HydroCarbon down the road, unless someone can do the same test. Take 2 cups of RO/DI and put 2 tablespoons of carbon in a cup. Make sure the RO/DI water read 0 on TDS and undetectable on PO4 Salifert test kit before adding the carbon. Then wait 48 hours and then check.

Peace,
Jim