free shipping, no minimum
5% back rewards
MENU
Shop By Brand
Shop By Tank
Sale
Clearance
Reef Calculators
Videos
Blog
  1. Home
  2. ...
  3. Saltwater Aquarium Supplies
  4. Filter Media
  5. Chemical
  6. Carbon Media
  7. Two Little Fishies Hydrocarbon 2 Granulated Activated Carbon

Two Little Fishies Hydrocarbon 2 Granulated Activated Carbon

From $17.85

5% Rewards:

89 $0.89 off a Future Purchase

Please make a selection

Two Little Fishies TwoLittleFishies HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. is a granulated activated carbon designed specifically for the purification of water. It is manufactured by steam activation and acid washing of a special Lignite material under carefully controlled conditions to produce an activated carbon most suitable for aquariums. Since it is extremely porous and positively does not leach phosphates that can stimulate the growth of algae. It has a very low ash content and therefore hardly affects pH. HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. has a wide range of pore sizes and large pore volume that provide a rapid adsorption rate plus a high capacity for dissolved organic compounds. It has the highest capacity for removing water-yellowing tannic and humic compounds of any commercial water activated carbon, and adsorbs both large and small molecular pollutants, including defensive substances released into the water by soft and stony corals. The macroporous structure of HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. also affords a high ability to resist clogging that can interfere with the adsorption of dissolved organic substances. The granules are the optimum uniform size for use in high capacity filters, allowing even-flow of water at high velocity with minimal back pressure. HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. has a long useful life. After months of use it also becomes a very active biological filtration community full of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. It can thus be used as a biological nitrification, denitrification media, or to seed new aquariums with active bacteria cultures.

Directions:
Use approximately 125 ml (1/2 cup) of HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. per 50 gallons. Entire contents will effectively treat 200 gallons. Pour the required quantity into a polyester or nylon filter bag. Carry the dry bag of HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. outdoors and also bring a container partially filled with tap water that will be used to rinse it. When outside, immerse the closed bag into the container of water. The porous carbon sizzles a sit becomes hydrated, and carbon dust is released into the air and rinsing water. Do not breathe the dust! Shake the bag underwater and lift and immerse it again repeatedly in order to wash out most of the fine dust. The black water produced is safe to pour down a drain, or into the soil outdoors.

Locating the HydroCarbon:
For the most rapid removal of water staining organic and other pollutants, place the bag of pre-rinsed HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. in a filter chamber where water flow is directed through it. Use filter floss before the bag to trap fine particulate matter that could clog the bag. May be used without a filter bag in external powerfilters by installing filter floss above and beneath the carbon to retain it. Important: When it is being used in a high-flow filter chamber, be sure to close the bag so that the carbon is kept tightly packed. This will prevent the granules from tumbling, which could liberate carbon dust into the water. HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. can also be used passively, without filter floss, by locating it in a filter chamber in such a way that water flows over and through the bag but is not forced through it exclusively. Continuous use in this passive manner still effectively prevents the accumulation of yellowing substances, keeping the water sparkling crystal clear. Replace with new HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. as needed to maintain the colorless water. Normally effective for several months.

Important:
Keep this container tightly closed to prevent air pollution from being adsorbed. Do not use HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. when medicating the aquarium. Can be used to remove medications from the water when treatment is complete, but should be discarded afterwards.

Ozone:
HydroCarbon 2 G.A.C. effectively removes ozone when located at the water stream exiting an ozone contact chamber such as a protein skimmer or oxygen reactor. When used for this purpose it should be changed once per month.

Warning:
Rapid removal of yellowing substances dramatically affects the penetration of light in water, particularly UV light. This can adversely affect corals that have become acclimated to the light spectrum altered by the yellow water. They are unable to tolerate sudden exposure to UV wavelengths. If no activated carbon has been used for long periods without water change, be sure to shade the corals when the carbon is used again, and gradually acclimate them to the light over the course of a few weeks. Keep out of reach of children. For aquarium use only.

Reef Chemistry Calculator

Use our chemistry calculator to find out how much you need to add to your aquarium.

Manufacturer Info

Two Little Fishies
Two Little Fishies, Inc. was founded in 1991 to promote the reef aquarium hobby with its introductory video and books about reef aquariums. The company now publishes and distributes the most popular reef aquarium reference books and identification guides in English, German French and Italian, under the d.b.a. Ricordea Publishing.

Ask a Question Earn 15 Points when you answer a question
Sort By :
 
9 Questions
Displaying questions 1-9
 
 
Write Your Review Earn 15 Points when you write a review
Sort by:
 

Overall, others give this:

  • 4.6

17 Reviewers (100%) would recommend this

Overall Rating:

download image
5  Star
 11
4  Star
 5
3  Star
 1
2  Star
 0
1  Star
 0
 
5
5.0
Clean & Effective

reviewerbadge
REVIEW
I have used every activated carbon over the past 40 years and this is the best. Basically clean and de-activated which makes it easy to adjust to saltwater chemistry without shock. Cost a bit more but worth it!
  • 1
Was this review helpful: Yes(1)No(0)
 
 
 
5
5.0
Best Ever

reviewerbadge
REVIEW
Product is the only carbon that does not place back pressure on my pump and does not leach Phosphates.
  • 1
Was this review helpful: Yes(0)No(0)
 
 
 
5
5.0
Very Good Product

reviewerbadge
REVIEW
Does what its supposed to. Has that satisfying 'snap crackle pop' when you rinse it off! Keeps my 100G FOWLR water crystal clear. Recommended.
  • 1
Was this review helpful: Yes(0)No(0)
 
 
 
5
5.0
HydroCarbon

reviewerbadge
REVIEW
It's an excellent product, work very well
  • 1
Was this review helpful: Yes(1)No(0)
 
 
 
5
5.0
Works Well!

reviewerbadge
REVIEW
I would like to start by saying I do not have any issues with dust as others have mentioned, and I have been using this product for more than a year already. This is why. I use the Two Little Fishes Phosban reactor. I fill the reactor to around 80%. Now here's the key. Instead of only adding the spo...Read More
  • 1
Was this review helpful: Yes(6)No(0)
 
 
 
5
5.0
Hydro-Carbon

reviewerbadge
REVIEW
This keeps my water crystal clear. The only downside is that you have to wash it allot in order to get it clean. Otherwise all of the dust will deposit in your tank.
  • 1
Was this review helpful: Yes(1)No(0)
 
 
 
3
3.0
its good but

reviewerbadge
REVIEW
this seems to be working well but it seems to be taking way to much effort to get all the black dust out of this carbon. lets put it this way, just imagine filling a 5 gallong bucket 5 times atleast with pure black water results and then after 30 mins of cleaning this and putting it in my reactor my...Read More
  • 1
Was this review helpful: Yes(2)No(0)
 
 
 
Write Your Review Earn 15 Points when you write a review
Sort by:
 

Overall, others give this:

  • 4.6

17 Reviewers (100%) would recommend this

Overall Rating:

download image
5  Star
 11
4  Star
 5
3  Star
 1
2  Star
 0
1  Star
 0
 

Free, Fast, and Flexible Shipping Options

  • Most products ship free—no minimum purchase required

    We ship 99% of the products we carry for free within the contiguous United States using a mix of economy methods including USPS First Class Mail, SurePost and UPS Ground. Your order will arrive in 5-7 business days.

  • upgrade your shipping for only $4.99—free upgrade for orders $299+

    Over 90% of our members receive their orders within 2 business using UPS Ground. Upgrade from free economy shipping to UPS Ground for only $4.99—or spend $299 and we’ll upgrade you automatically!

  • need your order even faster? no problem!

    Expediated shipping services are available for most products if you are in a hurry. Get guaranteed delivery in 2 business days, 1 business day, or next day by 10:30 am. Costs vary by location.

  • buy it today and we'll ship it today

    Same-day shipping is available Monday-Friday for most products—place your order by 10 am PST. Pre-ordered and back-ordered items do not qualify, nor do drop-shipped, live, or frozen shipments.

  • live plants, live foods, and frozen foods delivered to your door

    We ship live plants, live foods, and frozen foods within the contiguous United States. Each of these categories is subject to its own $19.99 flat-rate shipping fee to cover the special packaging and/or expedited shipping costs required to ensure safe delivery. Orders with 12+ live plants ship free!

Learn More About Shipping

60-Day Return Period with Easy Online Returns

Return any new and unused item within 60 days for a full refund. Having difficulty with a product? Contact us to speak with an aquarium expert. If you need a replacement, fill out this form.

A small segment of the 180+ brands we carry require that customers contact them directly if/when problems arise. You can view the full list of those brands and get their contact info here.

Marine Depot is an authorized reseller for every product we carry. That means when you buy aquarium supplies from us, your products are not only backed by our own 60-day return policy, they also carry full factory warranties, where applicable. Some items have a 1-year warranty, others have limited lifetime warranties. Warranty coverage varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so please read the product description of the item(s) you are considering thoroughly for details or contact us if you have warranty questions.

Learn More About Returns

Earn 5% Cash Back for Most Purchases

Rack up reward points to earn discounts on future purchases! You can earn reward points by creating an account, writing reviews, referring friends, subscribing to our newsletter, buying products, and more!

  • Earn 5 reward points for every $1 you spend to get 5% cash back
    Most Products
  • Earn 1 reward point for every $1 you spend to get 1% cash back
    AquaIllumination, CoralVue, Digital Aquatics, EcoTech Marine, IceCap, Innovative Marine, Kessil, Korallen-Zucht, Maxspect, Nano Box, Neptune Systems, NYOS, Oceanbox Designs, Pax Bellum, Red Sea, Reef Glass, Reef Octopus, Somatic, and Vertex Aquaristik

You can also get bonus reward points by purchasing select items during special sales and promotions.

Learn More About Rewards