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Carbon
Jul 13, 2011 20:30:38 GMT -5
Post by babygeige on Jul 13, 2011 20:30:38 GMT -5
I have 2 Rena smart filters and I absolutely love them. But I don't love the carbon packets they sell for them. For some reason, they are impossible to rinse out when new. I know it says you don't have to rinse until the water is completely clear or anything, but I don't want to put it in my tank if the water flowing through it comes out ink black. I think I'm going to start experimenting with different brands of carbon packs. I use little Tetra ones for my 10 gallon, and they rinse very nicely. But the carbon is a different coarseness from the Rena, and I don't know if that's what makes the difference or not. Or maybe I'll just buy one of those reusable nylon bags they sell at the lfs, and fill it with loose carbon. Any ideas?
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Carbon
Jul 14, 2011 10:32:02 GMT -5
Post by Carl on Jul 14, 2011 10:32:02 GMT -5
I have not used this particular HOB filter, but a couple persons in Aquarium Maintenance do use it (& like them). These guys have never given me any feedback about carbon, but if I remember when I go to LA in a couple weeks, I will ask their opinion (I usually meet with two of these guys)
I agree with your idea, as this is what I have done with many filters for many reasons
Carl
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Carbon
Jul 14, 2011 15:49:12 GMT -5
Post by babygeige on Jul 14, 2011 15:49:12 GMT -5
Oh no, my mistake. They aren't Smart filters. They are Filstar canister filters. I don't know where I came up with smart filter! I'll probably go to the lfs next weekend and see what different options there are. Since I have two of them, I might try a couple different things and compare results.
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Carbon
Jul 14, 2011 17:08:50 GMT -5
Post by Carl on Jul 14, 2011 17:08:50 GMT -5
Oh, the answer is easy since I have used many Filstar Canister Filters. I do not use ANY of the API carbon, it is very dusty. Your bag idea still applies too. I prefer the Nirox Carbon or the Marineland Carbon The API Rena Filstar BioChem Zorb is a bit dusty too, but otherwise an excellent product (although the similar SeaChem Purigen is better in my experience) Carl
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Carbon
Jul 18, 2011 22:21:23 GMT -5
Post by parker002 on Jul 18, 2011 22:21:23 GMT -5
I'm switching to Seachem Matrix carbon I think. I absolutely love their other products and the appeal of Matrix carbon is that it's actually spherical and all of the pieces are identical in size.
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Carbon
Jul 19, 2011 11:35:38 GMT -5
Post by Carl on Jul 19, 2011 11:35:38 GMT -5
Yes this is an excellent product! I only stopped stocking it as it did not sell (there are a few other excellent SeaChem products such SeaChem Reef Calcium that also sadly do not sell. Carl
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Carbon
Jul 19, 2011 12:15:09 GMT -5
Post by parker002 on Jul 19, 2011 12:15:09 GMT -5
By the way, I am discontinuing my use of Seachem Flourish and Flourish Potassium. I'll still be using Flourish Excel and Flourish Iron as needed.
I've been reading up on the PPS-Pro method and others. I can buy 2 lbs each of K2SO4, KNO3, KH2PO4, MgSO4, and Plantex CSM+B for about $60 and make 6 liters of macronutrient fertilizer and 6 liters of micronutrient fertilizer.
By comparison, the Flourish alone is about $15 for 500ml and is basically just a micronutrient mix.
I love the Seachem products but I'm going to save about 70% a year by doing it myself.
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Carbon
Jul 19, 2011 13:45:11 GMT -5
Post by sammiesam on Jul 19, 2011 13:45:11 GMT -5
I also like the marineland carbon, I have it for my canister filter but I mix it with their white ammonia pellet things or whatever since it seems to work better with goldfish
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Carbon
Jul 19, 2011 17:15:20 GMT -5
Post by parker002 on Jul 19, 2011 17:15:20 GMT -5
Yeah, the ammo chips or whatever they are make sense since goldfish are so biologically messy.
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Carbon
Jul 19, 2011 20:03:40 GMT -5
Post by Carl on Jul 19, 2011 20:03:40 GMT -5
API has a product, Ammo-Carb that combines both carbon and zeolite (ammonia absorbent), however the carbon in this (although good) is not as good as SeaChems or Nirox Carl
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Carbon
Jul 19, 2011 20:35:42 GMT -5
Post by babygeige on Jul 19, 2011 20:35:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the ideas! Carl, what size filter does the Nirox Carbon package take care of? The only thing I can make out on the picture is 150, but I'm not sure what that's referring to.
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Carbon
Mar 1, 2012 22:32:44 GMT -5
Post by babygeige on Mar 1, 2012 22:32:44 GMT -5
I've been using about a cup or so of carbon for both my 30 gallon and 50 gallon tanks. I found a lot of varying opinions on how much carbon to use in a tank.
What do you all use?
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Carbon
Mar 2, 2012 13:31:07 GMT -5
Post by parker002 on Mar 2, 2012 13:31:07 GMT -5
I'm using Seachem Matrix still and won't ever use anything else. Nearly dust-free right out of the jar and works perfect with the nylon mesh bags.
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Carbon
Mar 2, 2012 13:45:41 GMT -5
Post by Carl on Mar 2, 2012 13:45:41 GMT -5
I've been using about a cup or so of carbon for both my 30 gallon and 50 gallon tanks. I found a lot of varying opinions on how much carbon to use in a tank. What do you all use? There is no exact correct amount to use. The amount can vary depending upon carbon used, your tank parameters and what you are trying to achieve , as well as if medications have been used recently. My use has varied from 0 to a tablespoon of premium activated carbon per 10 gallons under normal conditions, higher in other situations such as after medication use. I also concur with Parker as to SeaChem Matrix, as well SeaChem Purigen is great too (in fact a colleague of mine really swears by this for keeping her tank much less yellow) See also this article for a perspective of what carbon can and cannot perform for your aquarium: Activated Carbon for Aquarium or Pond Use; Information, Use TableCarl
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Carbon
Mar 14, 2012 13:50:12 GMT -5
Post by goldenpuon on Mar 14, 2012 13:50:12 GMT -5
I hope this is not off-topic, but from what I am reading, it seems like Matrix acts like other types of carbon besides being great for housing beneficial bacteria. However, does it absorb medications like say, the classic filter carbon you can find at stores?
I keep the Matrix in my 40 gallon in the tank when I medicate but remove the classic type of carbon that is made for AquaClear filter when medicating. I am medicating my 40 gallon right now, so I am hoping the Matrix does not absorb much. From what I have seen VISUALLY when medicating, it does not seem to.
Thanks.
Renee
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Carbon
Mar 14, 2012 14:42:36 GMT -5
Post by Carl on Mar 14, 2012 14:42:36 GMT -5
Standard Matrix can remove some medications due to its very porous nature, however it is Matrix Carbon that really can remove medications and similar .
This is the reason I do not sell or use SeaChem Matrix Carbon, not because it is a bad product, but because I like to maintain the ability to remove my carbon without interfering with the bio filtration aspects of this product.
Carl
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Carbon
Mar 14, 2012 14:58:46 GMT -5
Post by parker002 on Mar 14, 2012 14:58:46 GMT -5
To be clear, I use Seachem Matrix and Matrix Carbon separately. Like Carl said, there's plenty of reasons to keep them separate.
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Carbon
Mar 15, 2012 14:42:28 GMT -5
Post by goldenpuon on Mar 15, 2012 14:42:28 GMT -5
I am using the standard Seachem Matrix that Carl sells that looks like white pellet- not the Matrix carbon then. That is good to know. I would have really not liked to be absrorbing meds this time without knowing it! l Thanks for your input Carl and Parker Renee
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Carbon
Mar 21, 2012 22:04:50 GMT -5
Post by babygeige on Mar 21, 2012 22:04:50 GMT -5
Hm, ok. Thanks for the info. I may try that when run out of whatever I'm using now. I think it's Marineland Carbon. It's much easier to deal with than the Rena carbon, but I want to try some other brands too. I'll put Seachem on my list!
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Carbon
Mar 22, 2012 10:09:19 GMT -5
Post by Carl on Mar 22, 2012 10:09:19 GMT -5
Just to be clear; Marineland Carbon is excellent. While I do not currently use or sell this brand, I have for many years with excellent results. In fact I consider Marineland one of the best carbons. SeaChem Matrix (regular) performs actions that any carbon cannot, such de-nitrification. Purigen and API Biochem Zorb are products that go beyond normal carbon (BioChem-Zorb is part carbon) Carl
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