Acurel LLC Economy Activated Filter Carbon Pellets, 1 Pound

This is a super carbon filter media for aquarium filters. The pellets are about 1/8 inch in diameter and vary from 1/4 to 1 inch in length. The pellets are hard and resist breaking down into dust the way others I have tried did. This is the least expensive carbon I've found for my filters, and at the same time the best I've found. That is a deal that cannot be beat. I use it for a biological filtration media rather than as a chemical absorbent media. I've found that it works better than bio balls or the ceramic rings, and costs less than most of the ceramic rings. The beneficial bacteria get some of the nutrients they need from the carbon, which allows them to grow faster and consume more of the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates from the water.Some people warn that old carbon media will leach chemicals into your tank's water unless it is regularly replaced. This is not exactly the case. Once it has been used for some time, the carbon will no longer absorb chemicals from the water, but it will not increase the amount of those chemicals in the water.If you are using it to absorb unwanted chemicals from a tank's water, then you will need to periodically replace the carbon. How long it lasts between changes will vary depending upon how "dirty" the tank's water is and how "clean" you need to keep it. Most freshwater fish are more adaptive to varying conditions, while saltwater tanks require conditions be near perfect.When replacing carbon filter media, the old carbon is great to add to the soil of your houseplants.

This is the only place I have been able to find activated charcoal in pellet form. This is a good product at the best price I can find. It does work, as I tested it in a glass of water and saw the bubbles. I just replaced the carbon in my carbon filter and it worked for about three years with a LOT of growing :). I don’t think you’d find a better deal if you’re looking for a small amount.

The media could not be loaded.  It's perfect if you use a little. It has 3 effects. Clear chemicals from waste in the water, clear chemicals from hard water like chlorine and keep algae from booming. By making the water darker it shields sun light from helping algae growth. I'm using a little bag 1 1/2 inch diameter for my 4,000 gallon pond. I would recommend 1 pellet to aquarium. Than if needs more you can add depending on size of your tank. If it's getting too dark just take off the ones you put in the water.

I've been buying carbon for the last 15 years. I have tried the really expensive stuff and as far as I can tell it all does the same thing.The higher cost product is chopped up into tiny chunks whereas this is in pellet form. One of these days I'm going to try smashing it up to see if that makes any difference but I seriously doubt that it will.This is a great value I paid 3.99 per bag I ordered 5 bags at a time to save on shipping. (it was 5.99 regardless of how many bags you buy)That will last me a whole year and all for under $30!______________update_______________________just for fun I "blended" a bag in my wife's Kitchenaid blender. it did a pretty good job of breaking all the pcs. down to no more than a little over 1/8". This creates about 10% waste as it does turn some of it to dust. (no more than 5 seconds)I have experimented with it in a few tanks and from what I can tell it does make the carbon more efficient or more accurately more aggressive at removing discoloration or smell.So I will keep playing with it but it seems like the smaller broken up pcs are best for emergency cleanup when you wait too long in between water or filter changes.I would also venture to say that because the smaller pcs. act quicker they probably "fill up" or exhaust their cleaning power that much faster as well.still very happy with the value of this carbon.As a side-note. Some sellers on Amazon ship at a flat rate cost and some on a per item basis. When I buy multiples, I add an item from each seller to the cart and then see which is the best value. The last time I bought these the cheapest seller was under $4 with $7 flat rate shipping, at that price I bought a year's worth. It's kinda a pain in the butt to do but if you are buying more than one it's worth it if you save a few bucks.

Using this in combination with  Seachem Purigen 250ml  In my turtle tank filter.This carbon is not as dusty as most I have used and only requires minor amount of rinsing before it is ready to use.It comes as sticks but as another reviewer noted it seems to work even better when it is a little broken up.I just crush it up a little before adding it into a nylon bag.Purigen is a good replacement for carbon but I have been using both together because I used this carbon long before I started using purigen and I was very happy with how well this worked on its own. Combined with purigen, in separate bags and in separate layers in the filter my water is crystal clear.At this price there is no reason for me not to use both.

Helps To Filter RES Water In Aquarium. Need To Rinse Before Use. Price Of Media Has Dramatically Increased Since 2015. 2023 When This Was Written.

It is cheap and you can tell. The carbon is light weight and easily becomes chalky. It rinses fairly easy and it works fine but I rather pay a bit more and have a better product. On other carbon you run water on it and you can hear the carbon activate with this product you don't that activation sound.

Great value!

I am a repeat buyer of this product.

Not bad, not the highest grade carbon but good for the price. Crazy how it came, my order was canceled due to saying "refusal from customer" being up and about i thought thats cap. Then i make a big message-fest in the helps DMs but decide to go for a walk and check the post office. Used my ID and it was there, which was crazy i tried to cancel the refund but not gunna lie im sure they're as stumped as i am.

Surprisingly this worked as an odor absorber. I have a few hanging in socks around the house. What really validated it was this test. I had a large Tupperware that had food smell in it. I placed a sock with some pellets in it and covered the Tupperware leaving a small opening in the lid. After 24 hrs closed, smell was 85% gone. You must close it to give it less room to work in. It did not work with the lid open.I have one by my front entrance to help with smell from shoes. Seems to be alot better since using it. Remember you need more for larger areas.

Not my favorite brand of charcoal. Thought I would try something new.Far from terrible though.