Long term carbon

[Zeus]

Hi folks,

I had a discussion with my LFS recently re: long term use of carbon and it's use as a denitrator. What was said makes a lot of sense to me, the HUGE surface area of carbon and the fact that it is very porous thus having the potential to provide low flow, low oxygen environment for denitrifying bacteria.

Just wondering if anyone has considered this before, if it's something that would work and how it would compare to other media like Seachem Prime?

Campbell

[Kev]

Hi Cambell

I have heard this before, but have no experience. I would think it would quickly become clogged up in practise and lose any denitrifying capabilities, but then I am no expert.

I would have thought the product manufacturers would market its great denitrification propertries if this was the case. They would not miss a trick surely?

[Cudders]

Yeh, have to agree. If it was so good at it they would put the price up and shout about it.

Anything for a mark-up lol..

Cudders.

[Tetley]

Hi

My limited knowledge would suggest to run carbon as and when required (not 24/7), given my very limited knowledge, and if correct, I am not sure of the denitrifying capabilities, but then I am no expert.
:confused:

[brian waller]

Hi cambell,i use CARBOLIT which is better than carbon.
CARBOLIT can be very useful in reef tanks,because it will remove toxic compounds produced by soft corals for the purpose of chemical warfare against rival species,it also very good to clear up any discoloration of your tank water,[yellowing].It is best used in a reactor to force the water through it ,making sure to change it every 4-6 weeks ,i use it 24/7 have done for 3years with no problems.


brian.

[Kev]

Carbolit is actually activated carbon? ;)

[brian waller]

KEV your a hive of information what would we do without you?


brian.

[MR Teee]

Brian, did you really not know that Carbolit was just activated carbon?

Doesn't it get expensive changing it every month?

[Kev]

KEV your a hive of information what would we do without you?

I don't quite understand your point, but I am sure you would get by!:rolleyes:

[brian waller]

Carbolit is actually activated carbon? ;)


Hi all,CARBOLIT is not your ordinary activated carbon.
CARBOLIT is a highly efficient activated carbon made in small pellet form, to make it more highly absorbent, so the smaller the pelletsthe better it works.




brian.

[Kev]

lol. Thats what they write on the packaging.;) Its activated carbon mate! I would not understand that creating pellet shapes would increase efficiency.

Its activated carbon.:)

[brian waller]

Brian, did you really not know that Carbolit was just activated carbon?

Doesn't it get expensive changing it every month?


Hi MR Teee,i did no what carbolit was, that is the reason i use it .

No it not expensive, but if you do not change it regularly it will release all the toxins etc it as collected back in to your tank water.
By forceing it through a reactor with a pump, or powerhead you get better results than putting it in a bag and hanging it in your tank.


brian.

[MR Teee]

I just think of it like Kalk is branded, You can put it in fancy packaging and claim it will work miracles, but in the end its just calcium hydroxide.

It's the same with Carbolit, you can beleive all the blurb on the packaging, but at the end of the day its activated carbon.

[Pinkfish]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Pinkfish]

Question given the extreamly HUGE surface area of carbon and the fact that it is very porous thus having the potential to provide low flow, low oxygen environment for denitrifying bacteria as mentioned by Zeus then surely once the activated carbon has been depleted you can then use it to make your own home made live rock ?

Mike

[MR Teee]

Trouble is before putting it in the mixture for the live rock, you would have to get the carbon to release all the nasties it has absorbd. Dunno how you could get it to do that. Maybe soaking in RO?

I can't say i would like the effect of black bits in the live rock though.

Surely the tactic of putting salt in the mixture and letting that dissole to get the porosity in the rock is a beeter (and tested) idea.

[Electric Monk]

I just think of it like Kalk is branded, You can put it in fancy packaging and claim it will work miracles, but in the end its just calcium hydroxide.

It's the same with Carbolit, you can beleive all the blurb on the packaging, but at the end of the day its activated carbon.

I buy my carbon from my LFS, own brand, large amount in a clear plastic bag for a small price.

It's the same stuff as you get from Kent marine. Just not branded.

[Pinkfish]

I buy my carbon from my LFS, own brand, large amount in a clear plastic bag for a small price.

It's the same stuff as you get from Kent marine. Just not branded.

I like the sound of this OEM products for marine fish keeping

[Zeus]

I like the sound of this OEM products for marine fish keeping

Agree, but watch out for poor imitations that are busting with phosphates.

Campbell

[Chris, Reef Ranch]

Problem with this is you can't control the oxygen levels within the centre of the carbon. If it goes anoxic (zero oxygen), when you move it you can disturb pockets of sulphide that can have devastating effects on the water chemistry in the aquarium.


Chris

[Chris, Reef Ranch]

Rock is less porous and tends to create its own boundaries with respect to sulphide. moving rock is not normally a problem!

Chris