Choice of Carbon

[FastUno]

I am about to put in an order for this:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW//Class//T1/F24CX 0221 0217/Itemdy00.aspx

Is this good/bad or in between? What do you guys use? This Marineland Black Diamond says it's heat activated in the description, but does that mean it's ACTIVATED CARBON? I used to use Boyd, which I find very good, but expensive.

Also another interesting thing that I read. I see a lot of people rinse their carbon before it goes in your tank water (as I do). Doesn't the rinsing itself, at least if done under tap water, pre-load the carbon with impurities? Should we be rinsing with RO/DI water?

Sidenote, how do you guys feel about PH calibration fluid from Coralife?
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW//Class//T1/F55EX 0047 0525/Itemdy00.aspx

 

[pecan2phat]

Black Diamond is fine if you plan to use it in media bags but if your using a fluidized reactor, then no to the Black Diamond. Too much of it floats which defeats the fluidized reactor.

 

[Dace]

i use ESV. I think it's great. I will be doing a group buy. if you want in.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6118

 

[inkblue]

Chemi Pure here... :scratchch just doNt know hoW long theY last...

 

[DEEPWATER]

I would use carbon for no longer than a months time ,afer that replace ,,,
i try to do 3 weeks of carbon ,and 2 weeks no carbon ,

 

[DEEPWATER]

I think esv is the best to use

 

[pecan2phat]

Hydro-Carbon is also a good activated carbon to use. Runs about $29 for a 4 liter pail. Again, it depends on how you run your carbon. If you place it in a media bag and then into a sump compartment or a cannister filter, then Black Diamond is fine for half the cost. If you do a search on RC, guys have already tested this stuff and it's fine. If you run a fluidized reactor, then BD is not my choice for the application.