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Hi guys, I'm currently used Seachems activated carbon!

Are there any other more affordable yet effective alternatives out there?




Thanks in advance

If you want it in bulk, check out: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk- ... arbon.html

When I'm usually buying an assortment of stuff from Big Al's, I just get whatever they have on sale to save on shipping (usually 40oz for $10).

Acurel from Amazon. $4 for 3lbs. Ships free if you buy $25 worth.

How often do you change it? I change mine out once a month.

Once a month.

I think all carbon is the same and they last maybe a month at most in a turtle tank, so I buy whatever is cheap. Unless you know of a local source, buy in bulk from the online site Steve recommended.

Yes i too change mine once a month!

If I did the math correct Acurel from Amazon is the cheapest? I'm not real sure because one is in pounds and the other in gallons . But I hope you found one of the two helpful.

The Acurel are pellets? If so, they are bigger but don't have same amount of surface area as the granules. They also don't say what kind of material the carbon came from. But yes, they are a lot cheaper and a good value.

Yes they are pellets but I have noticed no change in water quality difference compared to useing the fluval carbon.I might have to rethink my choice. I found an interesting read.

http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/articles/106

"How to use carbon" I did not realize I was not useing Quality carbon.

Interesting read, thanks for posting that.

I've never used acurel. If you look at their website, they do sell 3 grades of carbon.

The best of the best is Boyd's chemipure but its really expensive.

I've been using the bulk lignite carbon from Bulk Reef Supply for years and years and have no issues or problems with it.

For the most part, carbon is carbon. Even the cheapest carbon is better than no carbon. The better quality carbons aren't as dusty and last longer. However if another brand is cheap enough you could always just replace it a little more frequent.

If you're using that acurel carbon, have good water parameters and no algae...then why change? That product is doing its job at a great price point.

Yea its doing its job. If you read the link i provided what struck me is some people dont use carbon at all but then again they are probably useing chemical chlorine remover.And doing a ton of water changes.

Many of the articles written are also from fish keepers. The filtration needs of a turtle keeper are a bit more demanding. The carbon helps with the odor that can be present from the turtle. And yes, you're spot on with your statement about they're probably using conditioning chemicals instead of carbon to remove chlorine and chloramine.

Veipacray or Steve I have a question. My TURTLES used to bask a lot but ever since winter they dont at all from what i can tell. Nothing has changed I turned the tank heat down to about 72 to try to get them to bask with no luck. Any ideas?