Kent Carbon RECALL!

[Enigma]

This is disappointing. I just purchased a pound of this stuff. I've only had it in my system for just over a day. My expiry date is not included in the recall, but as it is an earlier batch than those listed (15oct13 expiration) it makes sence to me that mine could also be affected. I've now pulled it out.

How quickly are the results of the contaminated carbon becoming apparent?

This annoys me. If it is contaminated I can't use it in any of our carnivorous plant terrariums, either (though I have one tropical plant terrarium I could use it in).

[Nano]

Originally Posted by Enigma

This is disappointing. I just purchased a pound of this stuff. I've only had it in my system for just over a day. My expiry date is not included in the recall, but as it is an earlier batch than those listed (15oct13 expiration) it makes sence to me that mine could also be affected. I've now pulled it out.

How quickly are the results of the contaminated carbon becoming apparent?

This annoys me. If it is contaminated I can't use it in any of our carnivorous plant terrariums, either (though I have one tropical plant terrarium I could use it in).

My batch date was exc14oct I believe. And I noticed over night. Odds are if you didn't it could be fine. But test your water for contaminants like copper.

[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?