Carbon 123

House of Laughter · 06-24-2008, 06:14 PM

Figured this would be appropriate since a few people have recently asked.

There IS a difference between carbon types and we should read this article and understand the differences between them:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/1/aafeature1 - part 2 is also available, but way more technical.

Bituminous coal covers reef keeping needs more broadly then lignite due to it's binding capabilities. Coconut binds the smaller molecules while bituminous does the larger and lignite the largest. Problem with lignite is that it only binds those larger molecules and is also more brittle and less coarse. More brittle means the carbon could be broken down and free floating and less coarse means it is more easily prone to becoming a mechanical filter media (like a filter sock) rather than absorbing those unwanted yellows in your tank.

Bituminous coal carbon is large enough to not become a filter sock, has a high absorption rate for the molecules we want out of the systems and, believe it or not has the LEAST amount of dissolved phosphates.

Give it a read and enjoy - this one is less technical and easier to read.

House

tosiek · 06-24-2008, 09:24 PM

plz make this a sticky =0)

Thanks Jim!

House of Laughter · 06-24-2008, 11:02 PM

Thanks T, hope other people choose to read it.

House

NYPDFrogman · 06-24-2008, 11:25 PM

good read!

your show tank looks Freakin awesome!!!!!

Thanks

masterswimmer · 06-24-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tosiek


	plz make this a sticky =0) Thanks Jim!

Tony

Russ

You know NOBODY will read it if it's a sticky.

swimmer

jhale · 08-28-2008, 02:42 AM

they might read it if it's a thread of the week

ming · 08-28-2008, 03:10 AM

Quite technical
Heres some links I stole from the bulkreefsupply carbon FAQ which explains in more laymen terms.
http://www.pets-warehouse.com/carbon.htm
http://www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmen.../sketcarb.html
http://www.hallman.org/filter/gac.html
http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com...ed_carbon.html

Domboski · 08-28-2008, 10:42 AM

First time seeing this. Great stuff thanks!

jhale · 08-28-2008, 11:15 AM

Randy and I had the opportunity to meet Ken at Penn state and discuss Carbon with him.
One thing he said stuck with me, if our skimmers were as efficient as GAC, the coral in our tanks would die of starvation.

lunner · 08-28-2008, 03:01 PM

Another interesting Carbon in reef tank reading:

http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/200...k-need-carbon/

06-24-2008, 06:14 PM	#1
House of Laughter www.saltwatercritters.com Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ossining, NY Posts: 10,139 Reefer Ratings: (122) Friends: (27)	Carbon 123 Figured this would be appropriate since a few people have recently asked. There IS a difference between carbon types and we should read this article and understand the differences between them: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/1/aafeature1 - part 2 is also available, but way more technical. Bituminous coal covers reef keeping needs more broadly then lignite due to it's binding capabilities. Coconut binds the smaller molecules while bituminous does the larger and lignite the largest. Problem with lignite is that it only binds those larger molecules and is also more brittle and less coarse. More brittle means the carbon could be broken down and free floating and less coarse means it is more easily prone to becoming a mechanical filter media (like a filter sock) rather than absorbing those unwanted yellows in your tank. Bituminous coal carbon is large enough to not become a filter sock, has a high absorption rate for the molecules we want out of the systems and, believe it or not has the LEAST amount of dissolved phosphates. Give it a read and enjoy - this one is less technical and easier to read. House __________________ House of Fish (914) 424-0366 www.saltwatercritters.com Serving all your saltwater critter and reef needs

06-24-2008, 09:24 PM	#2
tosiek Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Greenpoint Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,509 Reefer Ratings: (30) Friends: (9)	plz make this a sticky =0) Thanks Jim! __________________ __________________________ 0.0! OhEmGee!

06-24-2008, 11:02 PM	#3
House of Laughter www.saltwatercritters.com Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ossining, NY Posts: 10,139 Reefer Ratings: (122) Friends: (27)	Thanks T, hope other people choose to read it. House __________________ House of Fish (914) 424-0366 www.saltwatercritters.com Serving all your saltwater critter and reef needs

08-28-2008, 02:42 AM	#6
jhale ... Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 14,936 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (25)	they might read it if it's a thread of the week __________________ tank powered by GA Hanna Meter

08-28-2008, 10:42 AM	#8
Domboski Heterodontus japonicus Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Manhattan Posts: 2,042 Reefer Ratings: (48) Friends: (14)	First time seeing this. Great stuff thanks! __________________ Measure twice.....Cut once 120 Gallon Reef Tank 72 gallon Local Fish Tank

06-24-2008, 11:25 PM	#4
NYPDFrogman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vernon, NJ Posts: 1,412 Reefer Ratings: (12) Friends: (1)	good read! your show tank looks Freakin awesome!!!!! Thanks

08-28-2008, 03:10 AM	#7
ming Newbie Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Flushing, NY Posts: 1,883 Reefer Ratings: (61) Friends: (23)	Quite technical Heres some links I stole from the bulkreefsupply carbon FAQ which explains in more laymen terms. http://www.pets-warehouse.com/carbon.htm http://www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmen.../sketcarb.html http://www.hallman.org/filter/gac.html http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com...ed_carbon.html

08-28-2008, 11:15 AM	#9
jhale ... Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 14,936 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (25)	Randy and I had the opportunity to meet Ken at Penn state and discuss Carbon with him. One thing he said stuck with me, if our skimmers were as efficient as GAC, the coral in our tanks would die of starvation. __________________ tank powered by GA Hanna Meter

08-28-2008, 03:01 PM	#10
lunner ALIEN Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 637 Reefer Ratings: (21) Friends: (0)	Another interesting Carbon in reef tank reading: http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/200...k-need-carbon/

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