Even the Italians do it :)  2/6/03
Normally I bother Calfo, now I try this address!
<I'm over here too, my friend. Buon giorno from America>
What You suggest for Activated  Carbon in a SPS tank... continuous use? 2 days-month use? And for quantity?
<yes, my friend.. continuous use in small portions changed weekly for full reef tanks, especially. Perhaps 3-5 ounces per 400l weekly... just an estimate, though. Let the color of the water (yellowing agents) be your guide >
Thanks MUCH! Marco, Italy
<Ciao m'amico, Anthony>

Pod culture, carbon
Hello Anthony, Bob et al !
<Hi Roger>
      Thanks to all of you, your assistance is Priceless.
      Read a lot of FAQ's, still haven't found a sound answer.   Just finished building an 22 gal acrylic sump.  Was going to be a wet/dry but I read the section on bio-balls!  Modified it now to a 22 gal refugium.
<Ahh, "a stitch in time, saves your mind!">
  My Nitrates have long been 0.2 but I'd still like to incorporate a 4' sand bed and really would like to make this a pod factory.  I'll start gathering some LR rubble from the LFS but in the interim, is there anything else I can add to optimize the space?
<Some macroalgae>
Would lava rock work as a good habitat for the pods?
<Not really>
  In essence, what would constitute "prime" pod habitat ????
<Mounded LR, macrophytes... there are actually MANY organisms considered "pods" that live in diverse habitats.>
      Second question.  I have access to commercial grade anthracite coal used in water purification plants.  Particle size is about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long.  Can I use this without harming the tank inhabitants (fish, corals and inverts)?
<Likely yes... talk with the "folks in your lab" re this application, find out how much "free" phosphate this product is likely to leach... get their input on preparing it (likely at least soaking for a day ahead of use) and try just a few ounces (in a Dacron bag) to see what sort of effects...>
  I "think" I remember reading that "activated" carbon is actually anthracite plus some process.  Could you explain the process or the difference?  What makes carbon "activated"
<Not in a short space... Again, I encourage you to ask these questions of the "lab"... and the Net for that matter! Bob Fenner>
Thanks a ton !   RJS   Redding, California

Non-Aquarium-Specific Carbon Alternative?
Hi WWM Crew!
<Hi there! Scott F. here today!>
Is food grade activated carbon as used in RO systems suitable for marine aquarium filtration? I just found that it's ten times cheaper than activated carbon marketed for aquarium use.
Thanks Timon
<Well, Timon- I'm always a bit wary of using non-aquarium-specific products for our purposes. Initially, you'd think that carbon used in water purification would be okay for aquarium use- and it might be! However, my concern is the potential of the carbon to contain and leach phosphates into the water; a substance that we as hobbyists are always trying to eliminate. My best thought is to contact the manufacturer to confirm whether or not the carbon contains phosphates or other potentially harmful substances. If you can get positive answers to those questions, it may be possible to use this carbon. Regards, Scott F.>

Non-Aquarium-Specific Carbon Alternative? (Pt.2)
Hi Scott, thanks for your reply.
<You're quite welcome!>
Is there any way to test for this? E.g., soak the carbon in water overnight and test the water for phosphates? Thanks
Timon
<Well, Timon- that's essentially the way that I'd test for it. Do be sure to take a "control" test of the water prior to placing the carbon sample in, to get a "baseline" reading of phosphate in the water. Ideally, you'd use RO/DI water for this test. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Carbon in aquaria and human consumption 6/12/06
Greetings Crew,
<Hello>
I have been reading through past posts about the use of carbon in marine and freshwater systems and have a question. <ok>
In answering questions on carbon and how long it lasts, more than one crew member responded that carbons' usefulness lasts only a few hours to a day or two at most. <Yep> It is suggested that after this period it is no longer 'activated' so to speak.  I know that Brita and other manufactures use carbon for their water filters.  They also allow for 30 days or so of usage before replacing.  Does this mean that their filters aren't actually doing anything for 29 of those 30 days?  
Thanks for any help in clearing this up...no pun intended)  : )
Eric B.
<Some of it is marketing, who would buy a filter that needs to be replaced every day, and some is the environment.  Tap water is going to have a lot less "stuff" in it to remove than the water from your average fish tank.  The city water system sees to that.  Also the amount of water running through a "Brita" like filter adds up to at most probably 10 gallons a day, while a filter on a normal powerfilter could push through 10X that in one hour.  Carbon basically has only so many holes in it to fill up with unwanted material.  The rate which these holes fill up depends on the concentration of impurities in the water and how much contact time with the water it has.>
<Chris>

Carbon Questions Part II    6/14/06
Thank you Chris for your feedback <Sure>  So the less impurities in your water the longer the life of the carbon. <Mostly yes, depends on the type of impurities, some are more easily absorbed then others.>  I was confused by the other posts and the mention of carbons' 'half life'.  They created the impression that carbon had a limited life, no matter what; in essence, that it broke down in a matter of hours, regardless of what or how much was passed through it <The reality in aquariums, few hours to a few days.> One final question, what purpose does the carbon serve then, after the initial 24 hrs? <Will work in limited capacity for a while, mostly just not worth taking out.>  Many posts suggest running carbon 24/7. <Like many things in this hobby, opinions differ greatly.  I myself do not run carbon, and when I do feel I need something I run poly-filters in their place.  Many do swear by it and have success using it.>
Eric B.
<Chris>