Activated Carbon Alternative?

Neil H

Neil H

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Does anyone know of a cheap alternative to the carbon we buy from our LFS...

I hear the carbon is from coconut husks????

As a dumb question perhaps, but why the hell does normal charcoal now work???

At the price i am paying for AC, i could buy loads of charcoal :)
 
There are no real alternatives. You could do water changes but they are even more expensive. Some carbon is from coconut husks and some are from other sources. With normal charcoal (braai) there isn't enough surface area to be effective. CHarcoal briquettes will fall apart. Besides we don't know the source of the wood and how it was manufactured. I buy the Waterboy GAC and it's about R300-00 for three kg's (I think) which will last me a year which works out to about R25-00 per month depending on your tank size.

You can use ozone hooked up to a skimmer but you would still need carbon for post filtration.
 
i would think "normal" charcoal has many sources, some of which arent reef safe.
also i think its in the manufacturing process, AC is treated with acids to make porous and baked in kiln etc
I got Maxi-Zorb AC from coconut husks in a big ass bucket for a great price.
for the extra cost, i would use reef safe products
 
i think i need to do some more research .... mine cost R199 for no where close to 2kg.... works out hellish expensive
 
Neil H said:
i think i need to do some more research .... mine cost R199 for no where close to 2kg.... works out hellish expensive
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That does sound pretty pricey. We pay R70/kg here in EL for GAC from coconut husks. I bought 500g and its lasted me like 3 months :)

oh ya, AC from coconut husks also has much less phosphates which is one of your main reasons for wanting to use it i believe.
 
i got a bucket of maxi-zorb, 2.5kg for about R250
 
thanks guys, will have a look for maxi-zorb....

If i look at the canister of AC i got, i promise its not even 1kg.... i got ripped off propper !!
 
That's the branded products. I think we pay more for their name than the actual product.
 
could not agree more tony ..... i understand the retail chain and all that ....... but R200 for a kilo of burnt coconut shells....... come now !!!
 
Lets not even go near the buffers and calcium additives which you can buy at a pool shop or hardware
 
Kunhardt said:
That does sound pretty pricey. We pay R70/kg here in EL for GAC from coconut husks. I bought 500g and its lasted me like 3 months :)

oh ya, AC from coconut husks also has much less phosphates which is one of your main reasons for wanting to use it i believe.
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AC from coconut husks is not ideal for water purification, it's actually intended for AIR purification. Seachem MATRIX carbon has a higher surface area than most other brands as well as having the lowest phosphate levels.

Purigen is also a good substitute or complimentary product.
 
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brentnorm said:
AC from coconut husks is not ideal for water purification, it's actually intended for AIR purification. Seachem MATRIX carbon has a higher surface area than most other brands as well as having the lowest phosphate levels.

Purigen is also a good substitute or complimentary product.
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It's interesting that you say that. I read an article on advanced aquarist saying that GAC from coconut husks aren't ideal. It should be from Bituminous or lignite coal not coconut shells. It's from the January 2008 issue
 
Tony said:
It's interesting that you say that. I read an article on advanced aquarist saying that GAC from coconut husks aren't ideal. It should be from Bituminous or lignite coal not coconut shells. It's from the January 2008 issue
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That is what I said. It is not ideal.
 
i added purigen to my nano, water is like liquid crystal
 
Guys Seachem's Matrix carbon will be available in SA quite soon at a reasonable price...keep a watch on Lanzo for more info!
 
i want to try this purigen stuff, looks great !
 
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