huh? the organic compounds IN water, are adsorbed within the carbon matrix, but in itself, water is the 'universal solvent' and does NOT bond to carbon.
Carbon replacement in canister
- Thread starter Delgard
- Start date
without carbon, how do you elimate food oils? i believe that without carbon my water doesnt become *cystal clear*.
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DO what I did. Ran a HOT Magnum with Black Diamond Carbon on my 75 for three weeks. Took it off...placed over edge of 5 gallon bucket with water...turn on...add food coloring to the water...water cleared up in about 30 minutes. I have a rather heavily stocked 75.
Does this prove that carbon still removes DOC's from water?? Probably not but it sure proves it has capacity and is useful for something.
I run carbon AND Purigen.
Does this prove that carbon still removes DOC's from water?? Probably not but it sure proves it has capacity and is useful for something.
I run carbon AND Purigen.
Well, from a scientific point of view you'll need to repeat that experiment without carbon in the filter to establish a baseline. That is if for some reason you run the filter without carbon and the water clears in 30 mins then it would seem the carbon did nothing. Now if the filter without carbon has no effect then I'd say that your carbon was still being useful.
Water forms a hydrogen bond with activated carbon. It may be a different bond than dissolved organics, but a bond indeed it does form.
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=water+bond+with+activated+carbon&hl=en&lr=&start=20&sa=N
good information guys -
i just asked marinemom on where this "common knowledge" on the effectiveness of carbon was documented? I dont think its correct to just state something is fact with out giving some background or documentation -
Activated Carbon is used for Chemical Filtration of water in many applications and filter life is never stated at 2 days. The water in my tank stays crystal clear when i use carbon - a bit hazy when i dont. I have only seen articles stated that carbon is not great in planted tanks since it takes out some trace elements that the plants need.
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Chemical Filtration
Chemical filtration is the adsorption of dissolved organic impurities from the water. Activated carbon is used for this purpose. You can utilize carbon by putting it in your outside power filter or inside box filter. Activated carbon can remove discolorations, odors, and other impurities from the water. A small amount of a quality grade carbon in the filter can keep the water looking sparkling clear.
Carbon becomes saturated and is no longer effective after a period of time. For the average aquarium we recommend that the carbon be changed once a month. Carbon can be replaced more frequently if the water is cloudy or an odor is present.
Absorption Potential of Various Substances by Activated Carbon
High to very good
Arsenic, bleach, chloramine, chlorine, chromium, colors, dyes, gold, insecticide, odors, monochloramine, tin
Good to Moderate
Acetic acid, cobalt, detergent, hydrogen sulfide, mercury, ozone, potassium, silver, soap, solvents, vinegar
Fair
Copper, iron (not chelated), lead nickel, titanium, vanadium
Low to None
Alkalinity, ammonia, barium, carbon dioxide, hardness, copper, manganese, nitrates, selenium, molybdenum, zinc.
i just asked marinemom on where this "common knowledge" on the effectiveness of carbon was documented? I dont think its correct to just state something is fact with out giving some background or documentation -
Activated Carbon is used for Chemical Filtration of water in many applications and filter life is never stated at 2 days. The water in my tank stays crystal clear when i use carbon - a bit hazy when i dont. I have only seen articles stated that carbon is not great in planted tanks since it takes out some trace elements that the plants need.
_____________________________________________________________
Chemical Filtration
Chemical filtration is the adsorption of dissolved organic impurities from the water. Activated carbon is used for this purpose. You can utilize carbon by putting it in your outside power filter or inside box filter. Activated carbon can remove discolorations, odors, and other impurities from the water. A small amount of a quality grade carbon in the filter can keep the water looking sparkling clear.
Carbon becomes saturated and is no longer effective after a period of time. For the average aquarium we recommend that the carbon be changed once a month. Carbon can be replaced more frequently if the water is cloudy or an odor is present.
Absorption Potential of Various Substances by Activated Carbon
High to very good
Arsenic, bleach, chloramine, chlorine, chromium, colors, dyes, gold, insecticide, odors, monochloramine, tin
Good to Moderate
Acetic acid, cobalt, detergent, hydrogen sulfide, mercury, ozone, potassium, silver, soap, solvents, vinegar
Fair
Copper, iron (not chelated), lead nickel, titanium, vanadium
Low to None
Alkalinity, ammonia, barium, carbon dioxide, hardness, copper, manganese, nitrates, selenium, molybdenum, zinc.
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I did say that carbon has it's uses in an aquarium setting but it is limited such as the removal of meds. in the water or nasty odors. It does tend to lose its effectiveness after a week or two where the water is not as clear as it was when the carbon was first placed in the aquarium. Having seven aquariums at home I no longer use carbon in them on a regular basis and my water clarity could not be any clearer. I also have close to a hundred tanks at work that also do not use carbon on a regular basis. As far as the common knowlage, well that is what it is. This has been drilled into my head over the last decade and then some. Countless people even on this forum have given the same response.
It is not my intention to start a quarrell over something so trite. I really have better things to do with my life then get into a tiff with someone on the net so I would just assume to leave it at that.
Marinemom
It is not my intention to start a quarrell over something so trite. I really have better things to do with my life then get into a tiff with someone on the net so I would just assume to leave it at that.
Marinemom
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enought time to post thousands of times on this forum. I was just interested in where you learned this. I have spent some time looking on the web and have found nothing that states the short life of activated carbon that you stated. I am not trying to argue with you - just thought you might have a reference for your statement so i could read up on it.
I do notice now it has gone up to 1 to 2 weeks from your original 2 days. I come her for useful information not "rumor" or things you have heard for years but dont have any backing. A good activated Carbon should be replaced once a month - thats bascially what i have learned from my searches on this topic.
Finall a question for those reading this - does the carbon offer biological filtration by allowing bacteria to grown on it??
I do notice now it has gone up to 1 to 2 weeks from your original 2 days. I come her for useful information not "rumor" or things you have heard for years but dont have any backing. A good activated Carbon should be replaced once a month - thats bascially what i have learned from my searches on this topic.
Finall a question for those reading this - does the carbon offer biological filtration by allowing bacteria to grown on it??
Absolutely....Great surface area...lots of bacteria! It is my belief that carbon provides one of the best, most porous, highest surface area biological media. The problem with it is that so much microscopic debris gets caught in carbon that it will become a Nitrate factory quickly. We won't get into the whole leaching debate. (It doesn't)
