So... does carbon take out fish poop?

[Damsel13]

that's all just wondering. :idea:

 

[burning2nd]

well...... not in so meny words but ya sorta....

the thing with carbon or any kind of media is (unless you have a reactor) you will need to removed it quite frequenly or you water will be degraded by the brake down of the stuff it will catch

 

[Krish]

Carbon won't really remove any solids like fish poop. It will have to be basically in a liquid form for the carbon to absorb it from what I uderstand

 

[Scooterman]

You can absorb all you want but there is no magical way to remove detritus other than some sort of filtration & sucking it out, anything that binds poop will just hold it there until algae can grow on it, you have to export as much as you put in, including the fish poop!

 

[Damsel13]

Well said Scooterman, darn it.
Thanks for the input.
When they make a self cleaning house I will look for carbon that gets rid of fish poop's

 

[4251cpd]

Anything solid will prevent the carbon to adsorb any dissolved matter. It's only good for a maximum of fourteen days (less if your bioload is heavy). Having filter floss in front of it will help, but this needs to be replaced every couple of days. Carbon does not discriminate between beneficial molecules ie, Ca, or the bad. Testing your levels will give you a clue. Certain carbons will leach phosphate into your system. So beware which you use. Black Diamond is the only one that goes into my tank. Sometimes, more expensive does not equal "the best available."

 

[Damsel13]

Thanks 4251 I was wondering why many did not have carbon all the time. I understand your explaination. You didn't pop my head


But what about Matrix carbon? I haven't seen it. Have you? Boomer mentioned it.

Thanks,
Debbie the blue devil damsel ;>

 

[Boomer]

Carbon does not discriminate between beneficial molecules i.e., Ca, or the bad

Neither does your skimmer They both operate off of hydrophobic action.

All GAC should be rinsed before use. Even if it does have PO4 rinsing removes almost all of it. Ca++ will not be taken out by GAC, unless it gets tapped in a blind channel. So Ca++ is nil if any. Your skimmer takes out much more Ca++ and other ions not wanted removed than any GAC.

The best GAC is this hobby are

TLF Hydrocarbon==>SeaChem Labs Matrix==> Black Diamond. TLF carbon is less user friendly, as it is Lignite GAC but it is the best.

 

[Willy]

Carbon does not discriminate between beneficial molecules i.e., Ca, or the bad

Neither does your skimmer They both operate off of hydrophobic action.

All GAC should be rinsed before use. Even if it does have PO4 rinsing removes almost all of it. Ca++ will not be taken out by GAC, unless it gets tapped in a blind channel. So Ca++ is nil if any. Your skimmer takes out much more Ca++ and other ions not wanted removed than any GAC.

The best GAC is this hobby are

TLF Hydrocarbon==>SeaChem Labs Matrix==> Black Diamond. TLF carbon is less user friendly, as it is Lignite GAC but it is the best.

What makes the TLF brand "less" user friendly

 

[Curtswearing]

What makes the TLF brand "less" user friendly

Lignite has a lower hardness/abrasion number than bituminous coal. This can result in fines (dust) in certain situations.

 

[Scooterman]

I usually rinse it in Ro also, don't know if that was mentioned!

 

[ronj]

how much do you guys rinse your carbon before use..i always rinse mine for several minutes..the dust just keeps coming off..i'm sure i don't get all the dust off..does this harm the tank at all???

 

[Damsel13]

Well I know nothing but I rinse my carbon until it's crackling and poping and not sweating off totally black rinse water. :?:

It just SOUNDS right.








--
Debbie the blue devil damselfish
(YES, I can live in a toilet!)