What is your preferred activated carbon?

[2fishy]

I have to go to the store today, and am getting low on activated carbon and was wondering if there is an activated carbon that is preferred over others. Currently I'm using Black Magic Super Activated Carbon.

 

[Ritten]

Hey Carole! I like Kent Reef Carbon. It is bigger pellets and easy to rinse.

 

[Amoore311]

I use the bulk stuff they sell at BulkReefSupply.com


They have the granules and the bigger pellets available.

 

[ACBlinky]

I tried Aquarium Pharmaceuticals 'Black Magic' and didn't like it -- the granules seemed to fall apart and released dust constantly; no amount of rinsing helped, the water just kept pouring off black. I switched to Marineland 'Black Diamond' and like it better, the particles seem a bit harder and much less dusty.

 

[Michael]

lately ive been using rowa carbon, its made by rowaphos, but i have used kent before, the carbon im using at present is made from coconut shells, not much choice around here to be honest though

 

[widmer]

In my opinion, marineland is the best deal. They've been around for years too. Carbon is another item that's a lot cheaper if you order it in bulk online. www.drsfostersmith.com

 

[arts007]

I wish I could find the article on carbon testing... it showed that the black magic with the red label, super activated was the best..followed by the regular black magic also cheapest I believe...Kent didnt fair too well

 

[jdieck]

Black Diamond, TLF hydrocarbon or Seachem matrix spheres, seem to be the lowest in phosphate leaching and ones with better absorption for salt aquariums. Seachem is the easiest to rinse (IMO) but probably the most expensive, followed by Black Diamond and then TLF which is a very light carbon.

 

[ErikS]

ROX 0.8 Carbon

 

[2fishy]

Thanks for all the responses! Boy, there sure are enough different brands out there!

 

[ReefTECK]

Black Diamond for sure.

Many people do not see the importance of high quality carbon. Many carbon brands are made from bone source carbon and will leach phosphates into the water.

 

[FizNid]

I like Marineland Black Diamond, Sera Super Carbon, and Seachem Matrix. I think the Sera and Seachem seem the easiest to rinse before use. I have just started trying out Chemi Pure though and so far it seems to work. I realize it has resins etc mixed in with the carbon but it seems to work really well. Not sure if there are any downsides to it but so far water is clear etc.

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

hmm. been using chemi-pure, but sounds like black diamond is the way to go...

 

[nrike]

marinedepot has a good price for kent marine carbon.

 

[jdieck]

By the way, even if you use low phosphate carbon, after rinsing it with RO/DI leave it soaking in RO/Di water for 24 hours, replace the water once. It will release a good portion of it's phosphate into the RO/DI.

 

[Kryptikhan]

black diamond. used for fresh tanks and it does wonders. for salt...same result. rotate every two weeks....gets pricey but if yer in the hobby yer not in to save money lol