What is Active Carbon?

[critofer]

Hi all,
I have seen a lot of post with people saying use carbon for this or use active carbon for that and so on...

What i was wondering is, what is active carbon?
I am new to the hobby and have never had to use active carbon for anything yet, but i would like to know what it is for the future.

Thanks guys!

Critofer

 

[LaOtIn]

Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal or activated coal is a form of carbon that has been processed to make it extremely porous and thus to have a very large surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.

The word activated in the name is sometimes replaced with active. Due to its high degree of microporosity, just 1 gram of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 500 m2 (about one tenth the size of a football field), as determined typically by nitrogen gas adsorption. Sufficient activation for useful applications may come solely from the high surface area, though further chemical treatment often enhances the absorbing properties of the material. Activated carbon is usually derived from charcoal.

per wikipedia


ive always referred to carbon as insurance in your tank. it basically takes out impurities. activated carbon has been the basis of filter systems for..............well, for a long time! lol

 

[Dustin1300]

Also helps with odor and should a contaminant enter your tank...Your already a step ahead as you are already battling it with carbon. I run carbon and phosban in a reactor at ALL times too.

 

[critofer]

where do u get carbon? does it last forever? howmuch would i need for a 29 gallon tank?

 

[Dustin1300]

I'm not 100% on the amount needed for a 29 gallon but I would purchase all my reef supplies from Bulk Reef Supply if I was you. They have great prices and really save you a lot of money. You can also pick up a reactor from them that you can put the carbon in.

 

[Metal Man 1221]

if you would like to know more about activated carbon and its use in the aquarium, at this point i would recommend purchasing a book online or maybe at your LFS, many things can be learned online, however, nothing beats a good book