Neptune Aquatics

Activated carbon (GAC) quality differences

I believe this is the same product for sale since its the same logo on HDLTD website and same on bag of carbon?


Activated Tri Base Pelletized Carbon [HI 00006 - 00011] : Creative Pet Supply

Creative Pet Supply Activated Tri Base Pelletized Carbon [HI 00006 - 00011] - Activated Tri Base Pelletized Carbon contains three different carbons in every single pellet, and is used in High Technology Applications. The Tri Base pellets have a stretched absorption range capable of adsorbing an...
www.creativepet.com
 

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Could be. Some of the spectrapure cartridges do use CAC and not GAC. This brand was tested for phosphate, ash, and metals. Came back pretty pristine.

Edit - there are a bunch of CAC brands out there. This was one of three I’ve seen tests on.
 
The cleanest I've used was the BRS ROX carbon, but you really have to contain it well since they're like candy sprinkles and get loose easily. They're definitely marked up way too much, so if anyone has an equivalent source let me know.
 
Darkxerox said:
The cleanest I've used was the BRS ROX carbon, but you really have to contain it well since they're like candy sprinkles and get loose easily. They're definitely marked up way too much, so if anyone has an equivalent source let me know.
Click to expand...

The high quality pellets that Polyplab and Fauna sell are better IMO, same higher quality and break less. Potentially the same product that Erin recommended but I cannot confirm.
 
For those who aren’t aware of the CAC carbon from
ClearwaterSolutions, here is an explanation on why many hardcore SPS folks (specifically, the Moonshiner community) have stopped using ROX carbon and switched to CAC:

reefbuilders.com

Reef Moonshiner’s Post DOC Reduction Method Using CAC | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Yesterday on the Reef Moonshiner’s support group owner Andre Mueller posted the following information. DOC Reduction and a specific CAC (Catalytic activated carbon), investigated closer on the Reef…
reefbuilders.com

 
Last edited:
Slingfox said:
For those who aren’t aware of the CAC carbon from
ClearwaterSolutions, here is an explanation on why many hardcore SPS folks (specifically, the Moonshiner community) have stopped using ROX carbon and switched to CAC:

reefbuilders.com

Reef Moonshiner’s Post DOC Reduction Method Using CAC | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Yesterday on the Reef Moonshiner’s support group owner Andre Mueller posted the following information. DOC Reduction and a specific CAC (Catalytic activated carbon), investigated closer on the Reef…
reefbuilders.com

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing. I heard that this is a moonshiner thing to use CAC.

I thought there was a difference between DOC and SAC? My SAC was between n.d and 0.4 previously, so not a problem I am trying to fix.

But more surprisingly, Salem recommends in this article three times the amount of CAC vs other higher quality carbon, which does not surprise me that it might be more effective in reducing DOC/SAC :).

I am intrigued though if it absorbs less trace elements.
 
Alexander1312 said:
Thanks for sharing. I heard that this is a moonshiner thing to use CAC.

I thought there was a difference between DOC and SAC? My SAC was between n.d and 0.4 previously, so not a problem I am trying to fix.

But more surprisingly, Salem recommends in this article three times the amount of CAC vs other higher quality carbon, which does not surprise me that it might be more effective in reducing DOC/SAC :).

I am intrigued though if it absorbs less trace elements.
Click to expand...
Did you notice any difference when you switched to CAC?

I bought the 0.5 cubic feet which will take me years to go through. Maybe I will break it down into smaller chunks and see if any club members want to buy a small amount to test out.
 
Slingfox said:
Did you notice any difference when you switched to CAC?

I bought the 0.5 cubic feet which will take me years to go through. Maybe I will break it down into smaller chunks and see if any club members want to buy a small amount to test out.
Click to expand...
Well can use it in ur RODI system as well same stuff or better thats already in ur carbon canister.
 
Alexander1312 said:
Thanks for sharing. I heard that this is a moonshiner thing to use CAC.

I thought there was a difference between DOC and SAC? My SAC was between n.d and 0.4 previously, so not a problem I am trying to fix.

But more surprisingly, Salem recommends in this article three times the amount of CAC vs other higher quality carbon, which does not surprise me that it might be more effective in reducing DOC/SAC :).

I am intrigued though if it absorbs less trace elements.
Click to expand...
It absorbs fewer traces which is important to me to keep more of the moonshine daily elements available for the corals and potentially fewer corrections ICP to ICP.

It will soak up impurities and any potential contaminants better than GAC, and it has been shown to reduce the plastic contamination we often see in our tanks over time. The added benefit is keeping SAC low.
 
Mike Yasin said:
It absorbs fewer traces which is important to me to keep more of the moonshine daily elements available for the corals and potentially fewer corrections ICP to ICP.

It will soak up impurities and any potential contaminants better than GAC, and it has been shown to reduce the plastic contamination we often see in our tanks over time. The added benefit is keeping SAC low
Click to expand...

​

Oceamo ICP-MS for Sac 254?​


I do use both catalytic and activated carbon.
Ive read tones of articles regarding Catalytic vs Gac which most stated catalytic was superior for chloramines mainly for drinking water uses which one article was the one moonshiners posted regarding catalytic but not much on trace elements?
Have not found any articles/ lab studies regarding it being more gentle on trace elements nor ICP tests confirming..If Catalytic has been tested and confirmed to remove more elements in drinking water then why would it remove less trace elements in tanks?
I do think Chaeto continuously uses up more trace elements then carbon does when placed head to head unless you put an obscene amount of carbon in. The placement before skimmer or after it in sump or no skimmer ? , quantity which recommendations all vary?, how often one changes out also all varied info from 3 days to 30 days? Coral quantity and their uptake along with macro algae? These play a huge roll in testing traces and may be different from tank to tank in general..if anyone finds scientific tests / articles regarding carbon and trace elements with simple control factors please share maybe Ive been looking in the wrong places rabbit rabbit wabbits!!







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