Are the Carbon Brands Okay?

[johnstires]

I have a Petco near me on my way home and they have Aquarium Pharmeceuticals, API and Petco brand carbon.

I want to buy some and a sock for my new canister filter for my reef tank. Are these brands okay to use? Not sure if there are any carbon brands out there that would do harm to my tank.

[Fig]

Yes. The first 2 you mentioned are good. I've used both before.

[billdogg]

eiather of the first two will be fine - a MUCH cheaper long term solution if www.bulkreefsupply.com - i just got (another) 5 gallon pail of their small carbon for like $54 - arrived less than 36 hours after ordered, and that was with their cheapest ground transport

[scottwhitson]

I am currently running the petco brand carbon and it hasn't done any harm to anything in my tanks. I don't know if it is the greatest quality but if you're in a pinch it won't hurt anything.

[johnstires]

cool thanks all. I always feel better buying things from petco knowing it won't destroy my reef tank.

[johnstires]

I just put this in my canister filter, so far so good. I forgot how much of a pain carbon is to deal with. It's been years since I used it. It too like 15 minutes to wash off the dust from the AP brand.

Is this always the case with carbon?

Also, how long does carbon usually last before it needs to be changed? I'm running it in an eheim with floss. My tank is a 55G with average bioload.

[ba_reefer]

yes