TradeGrade Premium Activated Carbon (1 Gallon)

TradeGrade Premium Activated Carbon is granular charcoal filter media sold in a 1 Gallon tub. It’s meant for chemical filtration: pulling dissolved waste, odor-causing compounds and the yellow tint from tannins out of aquarium water. TradeGrade also lists chlorine and some chemical residues among the things it adsorbs.

Granular format

Granules have plenty of surface in contact with water. They pack well into mesh bags and canister trays. Because the pieces are fairly small, always use a fine mesh bag so they don’t escape into the pump.

How to use it

• Rinse a scoop in dechlorinated water until it runs mostly clear.
• Fill a mesh bag, like the Fluval media bags, and close it.
• Place it after mechanical media, where water flows through it.

Change it regularly

All carbon fills up. Once its surface is loaded, it stops removing anything. A common routine is a fresh portion every few weeks, or sooner if the tint or odor returns. A 1 gallon tub supplies many changes for a typical tank.

Medication

Take carbon out while treating fish. It can remove many medications from the water and make treatment fail. Put fresh carbon back in after the course to clear leftover medicine.

Reef and planted tanks

In reef tanks, carbon helps keep water clear so light reaches corals. In planted tanks, some keepers skip it because it can pull out trace nutrients, so use it when you have a reason: tint, odor or after medication.

Storage

Keep the lid closed tightly. Carbon left open will absorb odors and moisture from the room, using up its capacity before it reaches your filter.

Avoid mixing old and new carbon in one bag. Swap the whole portion at once so you always know how long it has been running.

Alternatives

For a smaller pack, see Aquatic Experts activated carbon. For a regenerable option, look at Seachem Purigen.