carbon use

[swann294]

have a 180 gal mixed. How much chemi-pure to use and how often. Are there other alternatives beside chemi pure. Im a newbie. Thanks

[bertoni]

Moved to New to the Hobby for more views.

I'd skip the Chemi-Pure and get a good grade of carbon. That'll be cheaper, and the resins in Chemi-Pure aren't useful in saltwater. Bulk Reef Supply gets good reviews for their carbon products. I've used Black Diamond and SeaChem Matrix, and they seem fine.

[Pufferpunk]

+1, CP is a HUGE waste of $$$ in a reef tank. I might also suggest Purigen.

[swann294]

Thanks, i think i try Seachem Matrix Carbon. How is it put in the tank and how much should i put in? I have 180gal tank. Thanks again

[ninja_fish]

How about chemi-pure elite? I've heard many people suggest chemi-pure elite for reef systems, is this not good advice?

[bertoni]

Chemi-Pure and Chemi-Pure Elite work well enough, but they're overpriced. The only useful components in them are the carbon and the GFO, but the price is rather high for what you get.

[ninja_fish]

So, it's ok to just run carbon?

[Michael]

1 cup for 100 gals to start with, replace every 2-4 weeks and wash any dust off it first before adding to the water system.

[Manwolf]

is the premium carbon from Bulkreef worth the $$?

[troyman]

matrix is great its pea sized water go through it instead of around it harldley any dust

[bertoni]

The BRS premium carbon is very good, but I don't know of any data about cost-effectiveness. If I had a tank with a lot of toxic soft corals, for example, I might spring for the expensive stuff. Otherwise, I'd likely stick with one of the cheaper grades.