Activated Carbon

[bues0022]

You mention the price...but with either the energy cost of your stove (gas or electric) to use the pressure cooker for 30 minutes, or the 850W microwave for 20 minutes, I wonder if anyone has worked out the actual cost savings based on the energy cost of regenerating the carbon (and not even all the way back).....Maybe I'll have to run some calculations tonight. Anyone have any idea how much energy it takes for a stove on high for 30 minutes? I'll start with the microwave - much easier!

 

[bues0022]

alright, I went for a run and in the middle I felt like a complete idiot. If you run and 850W microwave for 20 minues you are using 0.283 kilowatt-hours of electricity. At $0.08 per kW-hr, that is approximately 2 cents to "recharge" the carbon. Quick, simple, and way cheaper than replacing. Even if you only do it twice because you think the performance decreases too much, you are still getting twice the life of your carbon for basically free. Cool!

 

[rolyguy7]

I'll have to try out the whole baking thing. Does the carbon have to be completely submerged in the glass container? Do you use regular tap water for the baking?

Thanks...

 

[sherm71tank]

I want to mention also that all "reef carbon" is not the same. I would encourage you to put some of the carbon you plan on using in some water on give it a swirl and test it for phosphates. I recently tried some "bargain" carbon in bulk only to find out it was loaded with phosphate.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Roly

The carbon in a microwave must be kept wet as the microwaves don't really do much but spark with dry carbon. You don't want it under water but damp. See that link above.

Sherm,

Yes indeed, when you find good carbon stick with it. Most good grades are "acid washed". This does two things. First, it removes soda ash from the carbon. If the carbon is loaded with soda ash it will increase the pH as you use it. Second, it helps remove phosphate compounds from the carbon. I imagine if you had run a pH test on the water that you placed the bargain brand in it would have a pH of close to 10. Bargains are not always TRUE bargains.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10187783#post10187783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
Ah, but you will miss the wonderful aroma given off by the nuking of the algae and bacteria as you cook the biofouled AC.

I've been fishing for Lake trout in Lake Ontario for years----I wouldn't notice any difference in aroma--LOL