Kent Carbon RECALL!

[christyf5]

FWIW, I have a batch of carbon that is likely from prior to 2010 and well before the recall dates (I think I purchased it in 2010 but it sat in the store for awhile). I started using it late 2010 early 2011. During the past year and a bit of using it my tank has gone downhill. Lots of cyano algae, decline in coral coloration and some receeding and two corals had algae start to grow on their tips, one so much so that I ended up fragging it and disposing of the majority of it. I had no idea what was going on but I because very busy and didn't really have much time for the tank other than basic maintenance so I figured I just needed to put more time into it. After this kent issue came to light, I didn't really think my kent carbon was a problem but decided to switch to ROX for a lark (everyone raves about it). Within 2 weeks my corals were coloring up, those SPS with the algae growing tips were clipped and healed up nicely (previously they would just regrow the algae) and all of my cyano is gone. While I don't know if ROX is the answer I do know that Kent was certainly not. I still have about 2/3 of a 5 gallon pail just sitting here. I'm not sure if I will use it intermittently or just dispose of it altogether.

[Borderjumper]

It seems like the carbon was leaching just enough to mess with your water quality and not crash it.. Prolly because of the large water volume.

I wouldn't chance it.. Dump it .

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by Borderjumper

It seems like the carbon was leaching just enough to mess with your water quality and not crash it.. Prolly because of the large water volume.

I wouldn't chance it.. Dump it .

ya you're probly right. will do

[daniella3d]

I doubt that if you bought it so long ago that it is contaminated with copper because i lot of people were using it then and there was no report of copper poisoning until recently. Just test a batch running in loop in a bucket and see if that water contain copper after 12 hours and you'll know.

We should be carefull not to point every possible crash on Kent carbon, as there might be other causes. The only way to be sure is to do a test and let a cup of carbon run into a bucket and then test for copper. If there is no copper than the carbon is NOT contaminated.

Originally Posted by christyf5

ya you're probly right. will do

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

I doubt that if you bought it so long ago that it is contaminated with copper because i lot of people were using it then and there was no report of copper poisoning until recently. Just test a batch running in loop in a bucket and see if that water contain copper after 12 hours and you'll know.

We should be carefull not to point every possible crash on Kent carbon, as there might be other causes. The only way to be sure is to do a test and let a cup of carbon run into a bucket and then test for copper. If there is no copper than the carbon is NOT contaminated.

I didn't say it was a crash. Nothing in my tank died, it just went downhill and I had some cyano issues. I don't have a copper test kit. When I find one I'll do the test but for now all I can do is suggest that perhaps Kent was the problem. Who knows, perhaps it wasn't copper but something else?

[chandigz]

Hey christy. We have a salifert copper kit I use at the store. Your welcome to use it anytime. If you go by and I'm not there just get them to give me a call.

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by chandigz

Hey christy. We have a salifert copper kit I use at the store. Your welcome to use it anytime. If you go by and I'm not there just get them to give me a call.

Thanks Chandler! I'll probably take you up on that sometime