Coal

Pamela

Which brand of activated carbon to choose, considering price-quality ratio and its properties. This topic was created for discussion, to inform beginners, and to explain its purpose. The question arises quite often. So, what is it needed for: It quickly and reliably removes toxic substances and dyes from water. The yellowish tint of aquarium water disappears. The water becomes crystal clear. Activated carbon also removes protein elements. The carbon does not affect pH levels and is free from phosphates and nitrates (this applies only to carbon from trusted brands). Carbon can be used for both short-term effects and long-term use in the aquarium, depending on the brand. Usage: To activate the carbon, you need to do the following: Option 1: Pour boiling water over it, let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly under running water. Option 2: Soak it and leave for at least 12 hours, then rinse under running water. The approximate consumption of carbon for 100 liters is 100 grams.

Susan

There is a quite large assortment of coal brands available on the market. I will list all the ones I have tried on my system in order of quality and price. 1. KORALLEN-ZUCHT Activated Carbon 2. TROPIC MARIN 3. Fauna in Ultra Carb 4. ATI Carbon plus 5. Seachem MatrixCarbon 6. Aqua Medic carbolit Quality comes at a price. It all depends on the buyer's budget. If I am wrong, feel free to criticize me.

Darrell7542

Can you provide more details about the principle of forming the list? I have only used 5. Seachem MatrixCarbon and 6. Aqua Medic carbolit, so I am very interested in others' experiences. Thank you.

Stephen

Max, where can I buy FAUNA coal in Ultra Carb L?

Kyle

It can be at Airif or at a.

Daniel132

1. What does it mean to activate activated charcoal? 2. With what type of water should it be rinsed, fresh or salty?

April3499

The activation process involves opening the pores that are closed in the carbon material. To activate the coal, you need to do the following: Option 1 Pour boiling water over it, let it sit for 30 minutes, then thoroughly rinse under a stream of fresh water. Option 2 Soak in fresh water for at least 12 hours, then rinse under a stream of fresh water. The approximate consumption of coal is 100 grams per 100 liters.

Aaron580

Activated carbon is used as follows: When carbon is placed in water, for the first few minutes, hissing can be heard and thousands of tiny air bubbles are released into the water. This means that all the pores and capillaries are filled with water. If carbon is placed directly into a marine aquarium, it is "activated" by the bacteria present in the marine aquarium water, primarily by important anaerobic bacteria (in theory). We gain double benefits - adsorption and the breakdown of nitrates. What is the point of soaking activated carbon in FRESH water... Just in case - Important:

Kristin

To be honest, the purpose of these processes is also unclear. In none of the instructions for KZ or Tropik is there any mention of boiling or infusing.

Erica

All this conclusion is made through experience. You wouldn't throw coal into an aquarium without rinsing it; there's a lot of fine dust, and it will settle on the glass of the aquarium or fall out as sediment. When coal is submerged in water, a thermal reaction occurs, it boils, and you don't want that in the aquarium. I suggested this option; who can suggest a better one? Before starting the topic, I also read the encyclopedia, but I didn't delve too deeply into the details. Therefore, the term "activate" can be understood as rinsing activated carbon with water. This topic was created for beginners to avoid asking the same questions in every new thread.

Christopher3770

I also rinse the coal with warm water, and I hear about the method suggested for the first time; I don't know if it will be effective or the opposite...

Katie3017

As a beginner, I realized that coal is necessary, that it needs to be washed, and that the rest is not needed, meaning my coal is better.

Brian7092

+1, wash until it stops dusting, wash any, different coals dust differently, this is from the series of tales))) because if the coal emits phosphates, which is related to its production technology, then it will export phosphates into the aquarium, I doubt that there are silicates in the coal. essentially, the price of coal is primarily determined by the positioning of the brand in the market, and secondly, by the presence of phosphates and dust.

Hunter1471

I have no tests on silicates, but the information was taken from a forum (sorry, I didn't save the link). As for phosphates, I conducted these experiments myself. The coal I described, which went off the scale on the sulfur phosphate test, showed no phosphorus after five washes with boiling water (with rinsing using osmosis). I used the washed coal several times in freshwater. I got tired of the troubles with washing, so I switched to regular aquarium coal. If you live in Kyiv, I can give you some for experiments.

Cheryl

I thought a bit. You are probably right about the silicates. There is a small discussion about scalding coal: Here are the tests on phosphates: