Activated Carbon VS. No Carbon?

Not really that new of a trick...its a process we have used in ion exchange for years in the Nuclear field. But heck, guess a partial cleaning of it can't hurt vice the full restoration of 2000 degree plus temps...

:cool:
 
bradlgt21 said:
The reason I said not planted is because carbon can pull stuff out of the water that your plants would want to absorb.
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What is it pulling out that your plants want? This is not true.
Having carbon in a planted tank is fine.
 
The carbon about 1/2 gallon, is first washed in tap water repeatedly until little to no visible residue is washed up then completely dried in a net stocking low humidity. Then soaked in RO water DI better with 10% WDV for 2 days.

Then drained quickly and placed wet in a microwave over on high for 40 minutes. The water inside the thousands of passages inside the carbon begin to super boil and pressurize to tremendous pressures. You will hear it hissing and popping and sparking blowing off steam everywhere around the oven. Once the volatility stops the recharge is complete. DO NOT open the microwave mid cycle no matter how many sparks, steam or noises you hear or you will disrupt the boil off have to start over again.
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What is 10 % WDV? I dunno, 40 minutes in the microwave, ro di water, etc etc. Are you really saving any money when you consider the power used, the waste water produced and the wear and tear on the microwave?

I have done the microwave treatment sans the ro di water and let me tell you that outside is a must as it stinks to high heaven.

Considering I can buy a scant gallon of virgin activated carbon for 9 bucks, how much would I be saving if the time involved had any value?
 
I have a planted tank and dont use any carbon. I've read that it will take some of the fertilizers that you put in out. I dont know if I believe this or not, many people will argue this statement, so i just go without it. I have an aquaclear filter, and put two sponges, some filter fiber, and some filter floss in in. I just tested my water yesterday and everything was fine. Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite all zero. But thats just my take on things.
 
I just tested my water yesterday and everything was fine. Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite all zero. But thats just my take on things.
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And thats just great, but what where your levels of copper, mercury, residual levels of any past medical treatment etc? Activated Carbon does not act on the normal things we test for........So good tests for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate does not mean our water is "pristine".
 
nc0gnet0 said:
What is 10 % WDV? I dunno, 40 minutes in the microwave, ro di water, etc etc. Are you really saving any money when you consider the power used, the waste water produced and the wear and tear on the microwave?

I have done the microwave treatment sans the ro di water and let me tell you that outside is a must as it stinks to high heaven.

Considering I can buy a scant gallon of virgin activated carbon for 9 bucks, how much would I be saving if the time involved had any value?
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WDV is White distilled vinegar. The combination of the WDV acid working on loosening calcified minerals and RO being more easily absorbed by the carbon as the RO also moves into to passages to absorb and get behind organics. 40 Minutes is just a number the key is once started on high don't stop until the high pitch hissing stops and don't open the door. The smell is the evidence that the organics are being expelled. The cost is negligible after you consider cost of new, shipping and convenience of turn around availability. Plus it its not done but every carbon change about every 6 months for me becasue although carbon looses its effectiveness as filter in 3 months, it remains a very powerful and potent bacteria warehouse.

Plus it kind of fun to watch, just remember not to get too close LOL.
 
carbon looses its effectiveness as filter in 3 months, it remains a very powerful and potent bacteria warehouse
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Everyones mileage will vary, but I think 3 months is really pushing it if your looking for chem removal, 3 days is more like it. I know the AC carbon resporator catridges we use at work for organic/chemical vapors ( I do hazmat work) 3 hours is pushing it!
Everyones mileage will vary in accordance to thier water conditions........

Most RO DI systems take about 5 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of RO water. I microwave draws about 1000 watts of power. But hey, if its fun, lol hard to put a price on that! ;)
 
Since carbon is such a good bacteria warehouse, would this not REALLY throw off your cycle when you change the carbon insert?
 
mx4ever said:
Since carbon is such a good bacteria warehouse, would this not REALLY throw off your cycle when you change the carbon insert?
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Insert cartridges really do not have that much carbon in them.If you are using carbon in a canister,then you may want to be careful on how much you change at once.
 
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