Charcoal

[mudder]

Does anyone have an economical substitute for aquarium charcoal?

[Mike O'Brien]

I use the stuff from wal mart. It's from marineland and I've heard it's the same as black diamond. I have no idea about that, but I know I don't have any problem's using it.

[mudder]

Thanks Mike
I was hoping for one of the Doctors down dirty cheap fixes, but I guess even he has limits.

[Mike O'Brien]

The subject comes up alot. I know there are some great carbon's that are available at much lower price per pound compared to hobby brand's. Problem is you need to buy a pallet load of the stuff. Jacobie is what Eric Borneman uses but as said you need to buy alot of the stuff.

I don't know of any other alternative, activated carbon is proven though.

[theaquariumpro]

I got a five gallon bucket for like $250. That seems like alot but I guess it's economical.

[staninct]

Not super cheap but I use ESV in the 1 gallon jug, MD sells it for $19.99. Lasts me 3-4 months on two tanks.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

One big problem with buying cheap brands of activated carbon is that it is not at all apparent without detailed analysis of the carbon whether it is particularly effective (that is, how much surface area is available for binding typical organic molecules from seawater).