Suggestions on a good brand of carbon to use.

[jwavec]

I am about to start running carbon in my reef tank and was looking for some suggestions on a good brand of carbon to use. I have heard that some brands tend to give off a lot of dust and I was hoping to avoid those if possible. Also, what size micron bag should I use? Thanks

[rroselavy]

Originally Posted by jwavec

I am about to start running carbon in my reef tank and was looking for some suggestions on a good brand of carbon to use. I have heard that some brands tend to give off a lot of dust and I was hoping to avoid those if possible. Also, what size micron bag should I use? Thanks

I just started using Eric Borneman's "Elements" Carbon. It is not in the typical pellet form but it is more like chips of carbon. I have it in a fine mesh bag in a semi-active flow area of my sump (debating on whether to use a reactor). Despite the fine size of the carbon, it seemed to require very little rinsing. I assume this is the carbon that Eric is using and alludes to in some of his online posts.

Cannot quite vouch for it, but I will report back once I have been using it for a while.

Another interesting choice is the pellet ROX carbon from twopartsolution. I was about to get that carbon before stumbling upon the Borneman carbon. Both carbons seem to be about $25-30/gallon


-Scott

[rroselavy]

Originally Posted by jwavec

Also, what size micron bag should I use? Thanks

Here is a good article that includes discussion on mesh size relative to carbon size. Essentially, smaller grains usually require fine mesh, which may be a problem because of mesh clogging. Pellet carbon can be placed in a courser mesh, and the article mentions that is better satisfies the diffusion process in passive use.

With that said, the courser mesh bags are often made of a thicker, less pliable material. In my sump, the fine mesh bag I have been using conforms better to the shape of the sump chamber. This may equate to more contact since the water has less opportunity to flow around the bag.

Seems to be a catch-22.

I just purchased a Two Little Fishies Phosban reactor, and was planning on using it for carbon, but the supplied barbed fittings are pretty darn loose...they slip right off the elbow fittings that are affixed to the lid. I just cannot trust it not to fail...

-Scott

[Stargazer]

Originally Posted by rroselavy

I just purchased a Two Little Fishies Phosban reactor, and was planning on using it for carbon, but the supplied barbed fittings are pretty darn loose...they slip right off the elbow fittings that are affixed to the lid. I just cannot trust it not to fail...

-Scott

I hve been running that reactor for 3 months with no leaks or other problems and yes, the fittings are not tight. But, that reactor is not designed to run above anything but the lowest of pressure. When I use PhosBan, I end up with the valve at 2/3 open with a MaxiJet 400. Right now, I am using Kent phosphate sponge and I have the inlet valve wide open. Still no leaks.

I have a second no-name reactor I picked up on the auction site that is loaded with carbon connected to the phosphate reactor's outlet. I got a 5 gallon bucket of carbon also on the auction site, since it was a much lower price per pound (like about $2, including shipping). I did a leach test for phosphates and nitrates before using it in my reef tanks. Good to go and I have over a year's supply now.