ACTIVATED CARBON....How many use it?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by seabass1, Aug 6, 2009.

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  1. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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    I run it 24/7, in a 150 reactor. I run it for 1) water clarity 2) water odor 3) because I have a mixed reef and need it for control of possible toxic warfare.
     
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  3. bama

    bama Humpback Whale

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    no, I looked into it, but I save more money this way and get the same results.. If I werent on a college budget, then I might step up to it though..
     
  4. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    I used to have mine in a bag in a high flow area. It worked fine.. helps keep away odor, keep clarity ect.
    I've got it in a viaaqua reactor now. It's more effective in a reactor. In the mesh sock I replaced it about every 6 weeks. Probably will have to replace more often now that there's more water going through it.
    I don't think I could keep a reef with out it as after about 2 weeks I can start to get a smell in the house.
     
  5. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    I use this and "try" to change it out once a month. Luna

    [​IMG]

    And this is what it states;

    Groundbreaking filtration media at the right price. For Reef, Marine, Planted, and Fresh Water aquaria!

    The PURA family of filtration media is formulated to reduce scum formation in fresh and marine aquaria.

    All PURA products are formulated with Beta-GFH (Beta Ferric Oxide Hydroxide), the groundbreaking German made phosphate removing media that eliminates the primary nutrient of aquarium scum. PURA filtration products lead to a much cleaner and less labor-intensive aquarium, good for the animals, good for the hobbyist, good for customer retention.

    Hydrated Beta-GFH is vastly superior to white colored Alumina based phosphate removers and greatly superior to numerous Alpha-Ferric Hydroxides sold in dry form.

    PURA PhosLock removes 45% more phosphates than Alumina media, and 20% more than Alpha-Ferric Hydroxides. Unlike Alumina, PhosLock never leaches phosphates back to the aquarium. Unlike competing Alpha-Ferric Hydroxides, PhosLock never disintegrates and never turns soft and muddy in aquarium water. PhosLock comes fully activated right out of the jar. PhosLock does not need a specialized reactor and can be easily confined and implemented in a fine meshed media bag.

    PURA Complete
    Full Spectrum Chemical Filtration


    PURA Complete is a blend of GFH; reef type macro-porous select grade bituminous carbon with a high abrasion number and low ash content specifically designed for aqueous phase filtration; and a top grade zeo-sorbent with a high cation exchange capacity for ammonia and heavy metals. This product will remove a very broad range of organic waste like urine, phenols, coloring agents, odors, and proteins; a very broad range of heavy metals like copper, lead, and mercury that accumulate over time from trace quantities found in all fish foods; a very broad range of toxins like medicinal residues, ammonia, formaldehyde and arsenic. PURA Complete will also remove large quantities of aquarium scum promoters like phosphates and silicates and stress promoters like decomposing food by-products. This is the product of choice for advanced reef, marine, and fresh water hobbyists, combining top performing ingredients, broad spectrum chemical filtration activity, low cost, and a fantastic performance to price ratio. PURA Complete is pH-neutral and is used just like carbon. PURA Complete is ideal for canisters, filter bags, and corner filters. This product has more chemical activity than any other media blend and will not degrade with exposure to high flow rates. Packed hydrated with an induction welded foil seal for freshness, protection, and long shelf life. Used as directed, this product will maintain extremely low phosphate levels and extremely low levels of all aquarium pollutants, allowing the most sensitive aquarium specimens to thrive.

    Removes of Phosphates, Organics, Toxins, Ammonia, Heavy Metals. Ideal for Reef, Plant, Fish, Marine, and Fresh Systems PURA Complete combines three of the most powerful filtration media into one easy to use product. Composed of Beta-GFH, Reef grade carbon, and a high capacity cation exchanger, PURA Complete by itself does the work of multiple specialty media with far greater effect and much lower cost.

    Beta-GFH, the same high grade as used in PhosLock, permanently removes phosphates and silicates. This best ingredient never leaches the adsorbed phosphates or silicates back into the aquarium as other types of media do. Your aquarium will grow less scum, stay much cleaner, and will be much less labor intensive. The carbon we use is the highest grade available. It is acid washed, phosphate free and pH neutral. Our carbon is 100% virgin bituminous carbon, that means it is specifically manufactured for aqueous phase filtration and not a by-product of industrial processes like many other activated carbons. The small grain size, the highly macro porous structure, and the high abrasion number make this carbon superb for high flow recirculating systems. Our cation exchanger has a CEC (cation exchange capacity) of 1.8 to 2.2, that means it will outperform any mass market brand. In fresh water systems it will remove loads of ammonia, and in salt water systems it will remove toxic heavy metals.

    Luna
     
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  6. goldylamont

    goldylamont Astrea Snail

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    i do use carbon

    i think carbon clears up the water in a snap. one thing that hasn't been mentioned is that by clearing up the water this may let significant more light through to your tank allowing things to grow better. i forget where i read it but a very knowledgeable guy was commenting on how much reefers talk about light technology and what bulb was brighter than the other but then he'd look at their tanks and could see that much of their light, no matter how powerful was being blocked by bad water quality. even if it looks clear to the human eye it can still hinder light i think. so, if not for the sake of using carbon to filter for toxins then i'd say good idea to do this for light. it can be cheap i think if purchased in bulk.
     
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  7. Fujin

    Fujin Feather Duster

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    Use it. Always have used it, and now you have me wondering why? Haha. I guess my scientific answer would be that...all my other saltwater buddies told me to. Lol. Oh well, they haven't led me astray yet and my tanks are doing great with it...so I guess I will just keep using it.
     
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  9. seabass1

    seabass1 Montipora Digitata

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    Carbon....

    Thats Right....Pack......chemical warfare!!!! To an extent, I believe this happens in all reefs.
     
  10. pgoodsell

    pgoodsell Horrid Stonefish

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    Always have, always will. :)
     
  11. seabass1

    seabass1 Montipora Digitata

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    Carbon...

    Karma to Luna.....looked on F.F.F, 32oz. Pura Complete is enough to treat up to 200g at $19.99. Thats half of what Chemi Pure Elite costs!!!

    Thanks Luna......:eek:
     
  12. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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    I run carbon 24/7/365. It not only clears the water up and removes any yellow tint but you must also realize various corals battle each other for dominance and secrete chemicals in the water which need to be adsorbed. This is especially true of leathers and SPS in the same tank.

    Carbon is relatively cheap and is good insurance.