Use of charcoal instate of active carbon

[chefrt]

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.

 

[PhilOlsen]

here is a link for some good info on activated carbon there \\\
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/greenfield straughan_activated carbon.html

 

[lcstorc]

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

 

[Scouter Steve]

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?

 

[JFK_Jr]

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).

 

[Witfull]

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.

 

[PhilOlsen]

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.

 

[BoomerD]

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/pdf/activated_carbon_brochure.pdf

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NationalList/TAPReviews/ActivatedCarbon.pdf

 

[mps9506]

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?

 

[Witfull]

Hows about Kingsford? Will it give my reef that barbecue flavor?

great for crabs~

 

[chefrt]

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.

 

[PhilOlsen]

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.

 

[mps9506]

What country do you live in?

 

[chefrt]

Brunei it in Borneo island.

 

[Witfull]

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_company_individual.php?ccategory=Pets

 

[boozeman]

thats some real fancy googling you did there dave

..btw, Ozone will clear that yellow water quickly.

 

[Dragon Wrasse]

great for crabs~

I'm confused?? do I add the butter and lemon to my sump or right into the main tank??:smirk:

 

[BoomerD]

I'm confused?? do I add the butter and lemon to my sump or right into the main tank??:smirk:

The butter & lemon should go into the sump. After all, you don't want it in the main tank... UNLESS you prefer your fish that way too...

 

[chefrt]

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_company_individual.php?ccategory=Pets

Ilufah Aquarium, this shop only have few tank selling marine fish and not much item related to saltwater aquarium they are more into fresh water fish and also very bad shop, they are selling saltwater using normal tab water without filter it. This shop not far from my house.

For your info Brunei is not a big country, population less then 400,000 people. Across from end to end take 1.5 hour.