[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Carbo Plus. Don't waste your money



Well here is my experience with Carbo Plus

After 6 months in a 75 g tank I have discovered the following:

The unit is marginal at best. It does produce CO2, but not a quantities that
even come close to a pressurized system. For my tank size it has to run at
full blast for 24 hrs a day in order to maintain a ph of 6.9 and KH of 5.
The results of running at full blast are an unsightly accumulation of what
appears to be calcium based deposits on the unit itself and the surrounding
gravel and any plants that are near by. The unit is placed horizontally near
the bottom of the tank. I have seen very limited "pearling" on my plants.
The carbon block does not last long at this setting (2 months at best). At
$24 a block, 6 blocks a year it costs me $144 / year to run !!!. That is
practically a new CO2 pressurized system every year. And for what ? Marginal
results.

I don't know how well the unit would work in smaller tanks. Most of the
positive responses that I have heard were based on people with tanks in the
20 to 30 G range. They seem to be able to get better results and the unit
doesn't have to run at full bore. Blocks in those system seem to last 4
months which reduces the annual cost to a more palatable $72 / year. 

Still, I fail to see the benefits of the system in the long run both
financially and benefit wise. Be very careful in your choice of a CO2
system. I bought mine thinking that the unit would save be the pain of
dealing with the gas, leaks, space, fine needle adjustments,etc... I guess
in the end the unit failed to perform to my expectations.

Like the old saying says "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."


I am waiting for my new M3 CO2 system to come in and replace the Carbo. I
will be selling Carbo plus soon on ebay.