Did I post this?
My article in the June 2010 issue of Aquarium Fish International:
"Cleaning with Carbon
Most hobbyists have used carbon at some point "” but how exactly does it do its job?
By A. Colin Flood
Whether it is for a small betta bowl, 6 million gallons at the Georgia Aquarium, or for freshwater or marine tanks, filtration still falls into one of three categories: biological, chemical and mechanical.
http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-magazines/aquarium-fish-international/june-2010/carbon.aspx
In the chemical department, the primary tool of the trade is activated carbon (AC). A little bit of it goes a long way. Activated carbon does not break down, convert or add chemicals. It chemically adsorbs dissolved wastes from the aquarium; absorption also occurs with activated carbon when it absorbs gasses). Most filter systems in aquariums large and small contain a space for carbon. Carbon is one of the most common forms of chemical filtration available today."
Of course, the obsequious editors removed the most valuable tidbits I learned from my research:
"¢ You don't need a lot of granular activated carbon (GAC)
"¢ One ounce per 100 gallons can be effective
"¢ Smaller granules are better at adsorption
"¢ The expensive coconut brands are not marginally better than the economical brands
"¢ As little as an ounce can be amazing effective at removing color and odor
"¢ Suspending activated carbon, such as in a flat, a narrow Marineland media filter grid, is far more effective than a passive clump (a tea bag)
"¢ Proper deployment of GAC works in hours versus improper (teabag) utilization
"¢ The GAC grid should be removed after 24 hours
My article in the June 2010 issue of Aquarium Fish International:
"Cleaning with Carbon
Most hobbyists have used carbon at some point "” but how exactly does it do its job?
By A. Colin Flood
Whether it is for a small betta bowl, 6 million gallons at the Georgia Aquarium, or for freshwater or marine tanks, filtration still falls into one of three categories: biological, chemical and mechanical.
http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-magazines/aquarium-fish-international/june-2010/carbon.aspx
In the chemical department, the primary tool of the trade is activated carbon (AC). A little bit of it goes a long way. Activated carbon does not break down, convert or add chemicals. It chemically adsorbs dissolved wastes from the aquarium; absorption also occurs with activated carbon when it absorbs gasses). Most filter systems in aquariums large and small contain a space for carbon. Carbon is one of the most common forms of chemical filtration available today."
Of course, the obsequious editors removed the most valuable tidbits I learned from my research:
"¢ You don't need a lot of granular activated carbon (GAC)
"¢ One ounce per 100 gallons can be effective
"¢ Smaller granules are better at adsorption
"¢ The expensive coconut brands are not marginally better than the economical brands
"¢ As little as an ounce can be amazing effective at removing color and odor
"¢ Suspending activated carbon, such as in a flat, a narrow Marineland media filter grid, is far more effective than a passive clump (a tea bag)
"¢ Proper deployment of GAC works in hours versus improper (teabag) utilization
"¢ The GAC grid should be removed after 24 hours
