ACTIVATED CARBON....How many use it?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by seabass1, Aug 6, 2009.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    7,172
    Location:
    America
    For those that run carbon passively in a filter bag or actively in a canister filter, once a week take the bag outside and smack it against the driveway a couple of times. Then rinse it to remove the fine particles and put back in your sump. You can quadruple the life of your carbon because each time you do this, you're exposing new surface area for adsorption.

    For those who run in reactors, you can still stretch out your carbon useage. Just run less and change more often.

    (Note: don't do this with the few Lignite-based carbons out there....it's highly friable and will just turn to dust. However, because of the price difference, most people tend to use bituminous coal carbons).
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. judgedread

    judgedread Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2009
    Messages:
    28
    Location:
    Australia
    carbon replacment?

    intresting thread guys.

    now i used to use carbon but when i came across purigen i like the idea
    of being able to regenerate it.

    i have two bags and use one and have a regenerated one ready to replace.

    i change it every three weeks but its said you can leave it in as long as it takes to go dark brown,but i dont let it go that far.

    i thought purigen can be used to replace carbon.

    can carbon take things out of the water that purigen cant?

    if this is the case then it would be a good idea to run both no?

    one thing i can say though is i can notice the clarity of the water using purigen.
     
  4. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    7,172
    Location:
    America
    Purigen specializes in organic compounds. Granular activated carbon will pick up some inorganic molecules that Purigen won't. That's why I use both.
     
  5. seabass1

    seabass1 Montipora Digitata

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2008
    Messages:
    1,088
    Location:
    Home in San Diego, CA.
    Carbon

    So(inwall) does Purigen also take care of Phosphate or do you use GFO, etc.?:confused:
     
  6. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    7,172
    Location:
    America
    Phosphate occurs in many forms.

    PIP (Particulate Inorganic Phosphate)
    POP (Particulate Organic Phosphate)
    DIP (Dissolved Inorganic Phosphate)
    DOP (Dissolved Organic Phosphate)

    DIP (also called Orthophosphate or Reactive Phosphate) is the kind that grows algae, that you can test for, and is the kind that GFO removes. Since this type of phosphate is inorganic, Purigen won't have an affinity for it. Unfortunately, neither will Carbon. Aluminum-based phosphate removers have some issues (namely de-adsorption of the phosphates they previously adsorbed but also the dust tends to irritate leather corals). As a result, most people prefer GFO phosphate removers.
     
  7. judgedread

    judgedread Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2009
    Messages:
    28
    Location:
    Australia
    dont mean to steal (walls) thunder but if i can chime in.purigen is not desighned for phosphate removal as such but helps in that it takes out chit from the water(and can aid) before phosphate lvls can rise.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. redwhitechem

    redwhitechem Plankton

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2016
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    India
    I use carbon for water quality in tank. Carbon filters are very commonly used in water purifiers. It captures impurities and dust particles, thus purifying the residual which is air and water.