CAC Catalytic Carbon 1/2 Cubic Foot Bag, 12 x 40 mesh, approximately 13.5 lbs. net weight.

See our full 1.0 Cubic Foot Bags.  Stores indefinitely, does not go bad. Keep tightly sealed.

Catalytic Activated Carbon Media – 0.5 Cubic Foot Bag (12 x 40 Mesh)

Premium Coconut Shell Catalytic Carbon for Whole House Water Filters, Chloramine Removal, Hydrogen Sulfide Treatment & Aquarium Filtration

Net Weight: Approximately 13.5 lbs.  

Our premium Catalytic Activated Carbon (CAC) is a high-activity, steam-activated granular carbon manufactured from carefully selected coconut shell charcoal. Compared to standard activated carbon, catalytic carbon has enhanced surface chemistry that allows it to remove chloramines, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide odors, and dissolved organic contaminants much more effectively.

This premium media is ideal for whole house water filtration systems, city water treatment, private well water treatment, and freshwater or saltwater aquariums. It is commonly installed in backwashing carbon filters using Clack®, Fleck®, Autotrol®, and other standard control valves.

Catalytic carbon has become the preferred carbon media for many municipal water systems because it excels at removing chloramines while providing excellent chlorine reduction, improved taste and odor, and long service life.

Why Choose Catalytic Activated Carbon?

Chlorine & Chloramine Removal

Many cities now disinfect drinking water using chloramines instead of free chlorine. Standard activated carbon can remove chloramines, but catalytic activated carbon removes them much more efficiently through a catalytic reduction process.

Benefits include:

• Better tasting drinking water

• Improved odor removal

• Protection for reverse osmosis systems

• Longer life for plumbing fixtures and appliances

• Better water for bathing and showering

• Reduced exposure to chlorine and chloramine by-products

If your municipal water supply uses chloramines, catalytic activated carbon is generally the preferred carbon media.

Excellent for Hydrogen Sulfide ("Rotten Egg") Odor Removal

Catalytic carbon is highly effective for removing hydrogen sulfide odors from well water after oxidation.

For best performance, install the carbon filter after one of the following oxidation methods:

• Hydrogen peroxide injection

• Air injection

• Ozone injection

The oxidizer converts dissolved hydrogen sulfide into forms that are easily filtered by the catalytic carbon. The result is fresh, odor-free water without the unpleasant rotten egg smell.

Catalytic carbon is commonly used as the polishing filter following peroxide injection systems and air injection iron and sulfur filters.

Removes Organic Contaminants

The extremely high surface area and extensive microporous structure provide outstanding adsorption of many dissolved contaminants, including:

• Chlorine

• Chloramines

• Taste and odor compounds

• Chloroform

• Trihalomethanes (THMs)

• Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Pesticide residues

• Chlorinated organic by-products

• Dissolved organic compounds (DOCs)

Outstanding Aquarium Carbon

Our catalytic activated carbon has earned an excellent reputation among freshwater and saltwater aquarium hobbyists.

Customers consistently tell us that this carbon:

• Produces crystal-clear water

• Removes yellow tint and discoloration

• Eliminates odors

• Removes dissolved organic compounds (DOCs)

• Helps remove medications after treatment

• Improves overall water quality

The premium coconut shell construction produces very little dust compared to lower-quality activated carbons and provides excellent durability.

Suitable for:

• Freshwater aquariums

• Saltwater reef aquariums

• Fish-only marine systems

• Pond filtration

• Aquaculture applications

Long Service Life

Catalytic carbon is manufactured from extremely hard coconut shell carbon, providing:

• Low dust production

• Excellent abrasion resistance

• Reduced media breakdown

• Long operating life

When stored in a sealed bag in a dry location, unused media can be stored for many years without losing effectiveness.

Specifications

• Premium catalytic activated carbon

• Steam activated coconut shell media

• Mesh Size: 12 x 40

• Net Weight: Approximately 13.5 lbs.

• Surface Area: Approximately 1,080 m²/g

• High hardness for long service life

• Low ash content

• Excellent abrasion resistance

• Designed for backwashing carbon filters

• Meets AWWA Standard B600

• Certified to ANSI/NSF Standard 61

• Prop 65 compliant for drinking water applications

Typical Applications

Whole House Water Filters

• Chlorine removal

• Chloramine removal

• Taste and odor improvement

• Organic contaminant reduction

Well Water Treatment

• Hydrogen sulfide odor removal (after peroxide, ozone, or air injection)

• Taste and odor improvement

• Removal of oxidized sulfur compounds

• Organic contaminant reduction

Municipal (City) Water

• Chloramine removal

• Chlorine removal

• Improved drinking water taste

• Reduction of disinfection by-products

• Protection of reverse osmosis systems

Aquarium & Aquaculture

• Freshwater aquariums

• Saltwater aquariums

• Reef systems

• Fish breeding systems

• Pond filtration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is catalytic activated carbon?

Catalytic activated carbon is a specially processed activated carbon with enhanced catalytic properties that allow it to remove chloramines and hydrogen sulfide much more efficiently than ordinary activated carbon.

What is the difference between catalytic carbon and regular activated carbon?

Both remove chlorine and organic contaminants, but catalytic activated carbon is significantly better at removing chloramines and works much more effectively when used after oxidation for hydrogen sulfide treatment.

Will this remove hydrogen sulfide by itself?

Catalytic carbon works best after hydrogen sulfulfide has been oxidized using hydrogen peroxide, air injection, or ozone. It then removes the oxidized sulfur compounds and polishes the water, eliminating the rotten egg odor.

Can I use this for city water?

Yes. This media is suited to municipal water supplies that use chloramines. It also removes chlorine, improves taste and odor, and reduces many organic contaminants.

Is this media safe for drinking water?

Yes. It meets AWWA standards and is certified to ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for drinking water applications.

Can I use this carbon in my aquarium?

Absolutely. Many freshwater and saltwater aquarium owners use this media to improve water clarity, remove dissolved organic compounds, eliminate odors, and remove medications after treatment.

What size backwashing filter will this fill?

One cubic foot of media fills a standard 9" × 48" mineral tank, commonly used with Clack®, Fleck®, Autotrol®, and other residential backwashing control valves.

Does catalytic carbon require backwashing?

Yes. Whole-house systems should be backwashed regularly to flush out trapped sediment, prevent channeling, and keep the media performing at its best.

How long does catalytic carbon last?

Service life depends on the water chemistry and the amount of chlorine, chloramines, sulfur, and organic contaminants present. In properly sized residential systems, catalytic carbon commonly lasts 5 to 10 years before replacement is needed.

Can the media be stored?

Yes. Activated carbon has an excellent shelf life. As long as the bag remains sealed and dry, it can be stored for many years.

Why Buy from Clean Water Store?

Since 1986, Clean Water Store has helped homeowners solve difficult water quality problems. Our catalytic activated carbon is the same premium-quality media used in many of our whole-house filtration systems and has earned outstanding reviews from customers treating well water, city water, and aquarium water alike.

Whether you're replacing carbon in an existing backwashing filter or building a custom filtration system, this premium catalytic carbon delivers exceptional performance, long service life, and excellent value.