Activated Carbon

[scfong8]

Dear Fellow Reefers, May I know what're the benefits of having activated carbon in the sump? I noticed that my tank water is a bit yellowish. Does adding the carbon help to clear this? Thanks in advance for any advice.

[brojj]

Yes. It does help to clear the yellowish water slowly to clearer water.

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[tqut]

Like all chemical, do not add too much. Best to add slightly lesser than the recommended amount.

Too much is never good in reefing, slow and steady is the motto

[vtecintegra]

And don't forget to rise it before you put it in or you will get a lot of carbon dust circulating in you water. Carbon dust is thought to contribute to HLLE in tangs.

[brojj]

Use good grade carbon.

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[scfong8]

Thanks for all your replies. I will bear these in mind.

May I know what brand is good?

[brojj]

On your above question, that is very subjective. For me, I am comfortable with using SeaChem.

[Rxcp14]

Im using aquapharm black gold... got 20+% extra... u need to get a media bag if it doesnt come with it... i got half bottle if u want.

[CY2010]

Read up fr some foreign forum, chemi pure is recommended. I think I wil try it myself.

[iskay]

Boyd Enterprises Chemipure and Chemipure Elite. Good quality!

[phuakl]

I thought all Carbons work the same.

Chemipure is around 10+ more expensive than aquapharm black gold

[brojj]

I have read about Chemipure also. Should be better. U get what you paid for. I will stick to SeaChem for now.

[Clement_jr]

i read article saying - Carbon can only absorb so much and after that it may simply become a nitrate bed instead.

i wash the carbon (aquapharm black gold) once every month. and replace every 3 months.

[iskay]

I thought all Carbons work the same. Chemipure is around 10+ more expensive than aquapharm black gold

Yes, all AC works the same way - via Adsorption. BUT not all AC are made the same way. Best are AC that are activated thermally but are more expensive because the high temperatures required are more expensive to achieve. Chemicals like phosphoric acid are used to lower the temp required to activate the carbon but this sometime lead to impurities. Good AC can lasts 3-4 months. Then they are to be replaced as there surface area is already saturated.

[iskay]

i read article saying - Carbon can only absorb so much and after that it may simply become a nitrate bed instead. i wash the carbon (aquapharm black gold) once every month. and replace every 3 months.

FYI, AC works via Adsorption, not absorption. There's a difference.

[iskay]

i read article saying - Carbon can only absorb so much and after that it may simply become a nitrate bed instead. i wash the carbon (aquapharm black gold) once every month. and replace every 3 months.

FYI, AC works via Adsorption, not absorption. There's a difference.

[Clement_jr]

coo, this is very nice information, thanks!

then can i reuse it after washing?

[brojj]

No u can't. The activated carbon has reached it's maximum adsorption ability unless we heat it up again to around 400-500degC, like what they do during the production of Activated Carbon from normal carbon, which is very troublesome, not economical & no specialized equipment to conduct all the required process. Much much cheaper to get new ones. Washing does not help in this sense.

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[ryanlio]

My problem is that I can't find chemipure nowadays in lfs.. anyone spotted any?

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[Clement_jr]

madpetz selling them

[CY2010]

Anyone has gd result of reducing no3 n po4 by using chemi pure elite?

[DeadmanZ]

Polyart has them too Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2

[phuakl]

My problem is that I can't find chemipure nowadays in lfs.. anyone spotted any?

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Ah Beng is selling them as well.