Activated Carbon
- Thread starter rolyguy7
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Aquarist007
New member
I think it also depends how or where you are using it. If you are using it in a bag in the sump then only the outside charcoal is really being used so it looses its effectiveness quickly. I run my charcoal through a phosbane reactor so the charcoal lasts 3-4 weeks. What a difference in the water clarity using it this way 
Well, it can be cleaned and re-used but it takes some doing.
A method I always used was to rinse it well and then place it in a pressure cooker. You need to place it in a glass pan as it will corrode a metal pressure cooker at the temperature used. I then would take it to 15-20 psi for about 20-30 minutes. I then let it cool and reuse it the next time I need some. This does not completely reactivate it but it will bring the iodine number (a measure of carbons absorption ability) back up to above 800. It works for about 3 or 4 times and then you need to replace it with fresh. I did it biweekly.
There was also a microwave method that supposedly gave comparable results discussed on the Chemistry Forum a year or two ago. I'll see if I can locate it when I have more time.
A method I always used was to rinse it well and then place it in a pressure cooker. You need to place it in a glass pan as it will corrode a metal pressure cooker at the temperature used. I then would take it to 15-20 psi for about 20-30 minutes. I then let it cool and reuse it the next time I need some. This does not completely reactivate it but it will bring the iodine number (a measure of carbons absorption ability) back up to above 800. It works for about 3 or 4 times and then you need to replace it with fresh. I did it biweekly.
There was also a microwave method that supposedly gave comparable results discussed on the Chemistry Forum a year or two ago. I'll see if I can locate it when I have more time.
Aquarist007
New member
it was like overnight---everyone could see the difference--amazing.---but I used it in a bag befoer without those results---so forcing the water to go through all of the carbon must be the reason.
Aquarist007
New member
my reactor came with two foam filters--make sure one is at the bottom and one is at the top with the carbon in between.---and rinse the carbon first---the first time i started this up I got about half a pail of dusty water---the micron filter bag easily removed it but I am sure the fish did not appreciated being coal miners for a few water circulations
rolyguy7
Member
I just picked one up from a lfs. It has a bypass valve which is pretty cool. Lets you remove the canister without having to shut down the pump. Here's the link to it
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/5262
Let me know what you think...
Thanks.
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/5262
Let me know what you think...
Thanks.
Aquarist007
New member
that looks good and its about half the price I paid:
http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart...150.asp?L+scstore+rdxj5802ff042e04+1182439202
http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart...150.asp?L+scstore+rdxj5802ff042e04+1182439202
sage_commander
New member
I have a semi-related question about this.
Can activated carbon and phos-ban or some similar product be put in the same bag? I was thinking of doing this so I would not have two bags of stuff sitting in my sump.
And before you tell me, I know: A phosban reactor would be better, but I don't have room for one in my sump.
Can activated carbon and phos-ban or some similar product be put in the same bag? I was thinking of doing this so I would not have two bags of stuff sitting in my sump.
And before you tell me, I know: A phosban reactor would be better, but I don't have room for one in my sump.
No real problem Sage but there is a drawback. Even the best carbons are pretty much useless after 3-4 weeks. The Phosban media is usually OK for a couple of months or more. That means you are throwing away stuff before it expires and the GFO is more $$$ than GAC. I'd use separate bags myself.
Here was the link I was thinking about yesterday on microwave regeneration of carbon. Simonh did his own experiments nuking carbon so I'll take you to that section of the thread Nuking AC--experiment
As you can see he seems to prove that the microwave technique he used would indeed rejuvinate the carbon. Not to a like new condition but much better than the old, used stuff.
This is pretty much what I get with the pressure cooker method. Simon used methylene blue absorption as his test and I use Iodine number. They differ somewhat on what they indicate but they are also somewhat parallel is results. With the pressure cooker technique I get used carbon with an iodine number of less than 550 to regenerate to around 800-850. This compares to new carbon with a value of 950-1000. Like in Simoh's experiement it is not brought back to like new but it certainly is still useful. After several cycles both of us have found that eventually the rejuvination process reaches a limit and addition regeneration is valueless. With my method after about 4 rejuvs the carbon cannot be brought up any higher than 600, which is not that great.
Anyhow there is the link and if you are daring you can read the entire thread GEEK WARNING!.
Here was the link I was thinking about yesterday on microwave regeneration of carbon. Simonh did his own experiments nuking carbon so I'll take you to that section of the thread Nuking AC--experiment
As you can see he seems to prove that the microwave technique he used would indeed rejuvinate the carbon. Not to a like new condition but much better than the old, used stuff.
This is pretty much what I get with the pressure cooker method. Simon used methylene blue absorption as his test and I use Iodine number. They differ somewhat on what they indicate but they are also somewhat parallel is results. With the pressure cooker technique I get used carbon with an iodine number of less than 550 to regenerate to around 800-850. This compares to new carbon with a value of 950-1000. Like in Simoh's experiement it is not brought back to like new but it certainly is still useful. After several cycles both of us have found that eventually the rejuvination process reaches a limit and addition regeneration is valueless. With my method after about 4 rejuvs the carbon cannot be brought up any higher than 600, which is not that great.
Anyhow there is the link and if you are daring you can read the entire thread GEEK WARNING!.
sage_commander
New member
I see your point, Mr. Waterkeeper. And considering how much phosban costs, I sure don't want to throw that stuff out early. Two media bags it will be. Thank you.
It will probably be a while before I try the phosban stuff anyway. I don't even have a test for phosphate yet. But the activated carbon I'll probably try sooner. Thanks again.
It will probably be a while before I try the phosban stuff anyway. I don't even have a test for phosphate yet. But the activated carbon I'll probably try sooner. Thanks again.
Aquarist007
New member
Don't take me wrong here---but is it really worth going to all the trouble to rejuvinate carbon---it's not really expensive in comparison to all the other stuff we go through in a month.
:lol: Inherently lazy huh? 
Just another handy use for that microwave or pressure cooker Cap.
Just another handy use for that microwave or pressure cooker Cap.
Aquarist007
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10185321#post10185321 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
:lol: Inherently lazy huh?
Just another handy use for that microwave or pressure cooker Cap.
I have two marine tanks, three dogs and a huge perennial garden, a fishing boat,---I have learned that I must prioritize my time---so I guess I don't have time to cook charcoal in the micro--besides with my luck it would catch on fire---LOL
Ah, but you will miss the wonderful aroma given off by the nuking of the algae and bacteria as you cook the biofouled AC.
:eek1:
As I said in my first post, "It takes some doing" and I'm sure most will op to buy new carbon. I gave out the methods for those--
:eek1:
As I said in my first post, "It takes some doing" and I'm sure most will op to buy new carbon. I gave out the methods for those--
- On a tight budget
- That have run out of new carbon and the closest LFS is 30 miles away
- Have far too much free time on their hands like me
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