Reef Sanctuary
Become a Sponsor  

Welcome to the Reef Sanctuary forums.

We're a beginner-friendly Reef Aquarium community featuring saltwater fish tank discussion, reef aquarium supply reviews, free photo gallery and more!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to many of our features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! Want to check the place out first? Take a look at our Beginner's Guide for a quick tour of all the features we have to offer the marine aquarium hobbyist. If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact support.

Go Back   Reef Sanctuary > Main Forums > Equipment
User Name
Password
Home Forums Photo Gallery Chat Product Reviews Live Coral Frags Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Equipment Discuss reef aquarium equipment including filtration, lighting, pumps, etc.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 01-27-2007, 09:30 PM   #1 (permalink)
chefrt
Tubeworm
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 25
Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

What is the different between active carbon and charcoal? Can used charcoal for my filtration instate of carbon. The charcoal that I going too used is from mangrove tree, in my place it easy to get.
chefrt is offline   Reply With Quote
ReefSanctuary Sponsor
Old 01-27-2007, 09:52 PM   #2 (permalink)
PhilOlsen
Has been struck by the ban stick
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife)
Posts: 646
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

here is a link for some good info on activated carbon there \\\
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/...%20carbon.html
PhilOlsen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2007, 08:46 AM   #3 (permalink)
lcstorc
Sunshine Reefer
 
lcstorc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Cocoa Fl
Posts: 16,454

My ReefSpace
Add yours!
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

Nice link on carbon. Now it has me re-thinking the way I currently use it.
__________________
Peace
LYNN


You can't change the past but you can change how you view it.

A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash.

Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure

Lynn's 20g clown tank

Lynn's 90g Jawfish enjoyment

ASM answer girl.

Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

lcstorc is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2007, 09:09 AM   #4 (permalink)
Scouter Steve
Neon dottyback
 
Scouter Steve's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County)
Posts: 620
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

I haven't used activated carbon yet but am considering it with my larger system now. One point I am confused on after reading those articles. Can you reuse carbon. I know left in to long it will be a nitrate factory but can you wash it, dry it and use it again?
Scouter Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2007, 09:31 AM   #5 (permalink)
JFK_Jr
Golden Moray
 
JFK_Jr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hallandale Beach FL
Posts: 2,108

My ReefSpace
Add yours!
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scouter Steve View Post
I haven't used activated carbon yet but am considering it with my larger system now. One point I am confused on after reading those articles. Can you reuse carbon. I know left in to long it will be a nitrate factory but can you wash it, dry it and use it again?
Some people run it for 12-24 hours a week, then pull it out and let it dry, and then re-use it again on a weekly basis. Eventually you will need to change it once you see your water clarity start to diminish(yellowing).
__________________
JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire

JFK_Jr is offline   Reply With Quote
ReefSanctuary Sponsor
Old 01-28-2007, 09:53 AM   #6 (permalink)
Witfull
Yoda Poohbah~
 
Witfull's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,339

My ReefSpace
Add yours!
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

i would not use charcoal, nor would i re-use carbon. activated carbon has been baked at high temps (600-1200*F) to burn off inpurities and open up billions of pores. this gives it its superior surface area. A gram of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 400 m², For comparison, a tennis court is about 260 m².

also by reef-grade carbon, cheaper brands use chemical activation. this means it was soaked in phosphates to charge it. this will cause leaching into your tank and feed algae.

spend a lil more, use sparingly and you will save in the long run.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Witfull View Post
im the King of Rescues....i take adversity and turn it into a positive.
Welcome to my nightmare,
I think you're gonna like it,
I think you're gonna feel you belong.
A walk to vacation,
A necessary sedation,
You wanna feel at home cause' you belong.


i say this as my best advice to a beginner. do not,,,and i repeat,,,,,DO NOT look at my tank as an example....i have a well practised eye, decades of experience, and a trunkload of failures to allow me to force the issue and get away with things most cannot~
Witfull is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2007, 11:45 AM   #7 (permalink)
PhilOlsen
Has been struck by the ban stick
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife)
Posts: 646
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

Quote:
Originally Posted by Witfull View Post

spend a lil more, use sparingly and you will save in the long run.
Words of wisdom, this is absolutely a you get what you pay for hobby. Cutting corners will cost you more in money, time and aggrivation. The difference in cost is nothing given the benifits.
PhilOlsen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2007, 12:03 PM   #8 (permalink)
BoomerD
Reef Shark
 
BoomerD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 5,234
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

The BEST carbons for our use appear to be made from bituminous coal, rather than any woody product, like coconut shell, which is a gas phase carbon, rather than a liquid phase carbon. I'm sure "that OTHER" Boomer can 'splain the difference for us "kemistry challenged"...
Here are a couple of links on the difference between activated carbon and charcoal...(most pertain to air filtration, instead of water, but you'll get the idea)

http://jhs.pharm.or.jp/50(2)/50_148.pdf

http://www.activated-carbon.com/solrec2.html

http://www.abatement.com/residential...n_brochure.pdf

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/National...atedCarbon.pdf
__________________
Intelligence is not knowing all the answers,
but knowing where and how to find them!

www.google.com



http://www.whodah.com/albums/Avatars-and-Graphics/afb.jpg
BoomerD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2007, 02:57 PM   #9 (permalink)
mps9506
They misunderestimated me
 
mps9506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Charlotte and Wilmington, NC
Posts: 6,862
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

Quote:
Originally Posted by Witfull View Post
i would not use charcoal, nor would i re-use carbon. activated carbon has been baked at high temps (600-1200*F) to burn off inpurities and open up billions of pores. this gives it its superior surface area. A gram of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 400 m², For comparison, a tennis court is about 260 m².

also by reef-grade carbon, cheaper brands use chemical activation. this means it was soaked in phosphates to charge it. this will cause leaching into your tank and feed algae.

spend a lil more, use sparingly and you will save in the long run.
Hows about Kingsford? Will it give my reef that barbecue flavor?
mps9506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2007, 03:19 PM   #10 (permalink)
Witfull
Yoda Poohbah~
 
Witfull's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,339

My ReefSpace
Add yours!
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

Quote:
Originally Posted by mps9506 View Post
Hows about Kingsford? Will it give my reef that barbecue flavor?
great for crabs~
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Witfull View Post
im the King of Rescues....i take adversity and turn it into a positive.
Welcome to my nightmare,
I think you're gonna like it,
I think you're gonna feel you belong.
A walk to vacation,
A necessary sedation,
You wanna feel at home cause' you belong.


i say this as my best advice to a beginner. do not,,,and i repeat,,,,,DO NOT look at my tank as an example....i have a well practised eye, decades of experience, and a trunkload of failures to allow me to force the issue and get away with things most cannot~
Witfull is offline   Reply With Quote
ReefSanctuary Sponsor
Old 01-30-2007, 06:29 AM   #11 (permalink)
chefrt
Tubeworm
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 25
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

I ask this because in my country only 2 LFS, but very limited item that u can buy. Never sell activated carbon, to order from internet it is very costly and I may have a problem to clear with custom ( don’t like to face with govement birocracy ). I have a problem with yellow water right now. I’m looking for a good substitute. Any idea.
chefrt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-30-2007, 07:08 AM   #12 (permalink)
PhilOlsen
Has been struck by the ban stick
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife)
Posts: 646
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

You might want to try a UV sterilizer. Aqua make a good product and unlike most brands rates their bulbs at the end of their life, not while new.
PhilOlsen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-30-2007, 07:14 AM   #13 (permalink)
mps9506
They misunderestimated me
 
mps9506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Charlotte and Wilmington, NC
Posts: 6,862
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

What country do you live in?
mps9506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-30-2007, 08:07 AM   #14 (permalink)
chefrt
Tubeworm
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 25
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

Brunei it in Borneo island.
chefrt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-30-2007, 10:24 AM   #15 (permalink)
Witfull
Yoda Poohbah~
 
Witfull's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,339

My ReefSpace
Add yours!
Re: Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

after a lil googling,,,i found a LFS in Brunei. try calling them.

http://www.ilufahaquarium.com/index.html

or i dont know if these will help

http://www.onebrunei.com/list_compan...ccategory=Pets
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Witfull View Post
im the King of Rescues....i take adversity and turn it into a positive.
Welcome to my nightmare,
I think you're gonna like it,
I think you're gonna feel you belong.
A walk to vacation,
A necessary sedation,
You wanna feel at home cause' you belong.


i say this as my best advice to a beginner. do not,,,and i repeat,,,,,DO NOT look at my tank as an example....i have a well practised eye, decades of experience, and a trunkload of failures to allow me to force the issue and get away with things most cannot~
Witfull is offline   Reply With Quote
ReefSanctuary Sponsor
Reply

  Reef Sanctuary > Main Forums > Equipment



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.0.0 RC8
©2003-2007 Centropyge Productions LLC
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=


Page generated in 0.21347 seconds with 11 queries

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141