Reactivating carbon?

[TAXMAN]

I know I have heard of people that do this. I think you put it in the oven for a while. Does anyone know if this actually works and if so what temp and how long in the oven?

Also, how long do you run your carbon on your tank before changing it out? I have never had to run it until now. I dont have much of a bio load on my 180. But I think I am fighting a chemical battle between my corals. All SPS are frags. The softs are small to medium size.

[StephenA]

I run my Carbon about 6-8 weeks. I'd like to know too if you could "Reactivate" it.

[Tim Marvin]

From what I understand you can bake it in the over at some high temp for a while. Carbon is inexpensive enough at petco ect.... why would you want to spend the time and energy cleaning it and re-activating?

[TAXMAN]

I was asking because I have heard a lot a different answers on how long it is really effective. I have heard from 2-3 days to 2 months. If it last about 4 weeks or better then yes, I would just keep buying new carbon. A week or less then it would get expensive.

[GaryP]

Fintique sells it in bulk. I've used it and it has worked as well as the "premium" carbons. I think its something like $2/lb. in bulk. It's all made from the same thing, coconut shell.

Gary

[TAXMAN]

Thats cool. Where is Fintique? I am guessing S.A.

[GaryP]

Yes, on West Ave. off of I-10.

Gary

[TAXMAN]

Looks like I'll be stopping there next saturday. Thanks Gary.

Johnny

[BA]

go thursday if u can, livestock 25% off

[witecap4u]

25% off, if still in the bag....

get there around/before 10am for a good selection

[GaryP]

Fintique opens at 10:00 on Thur. There's usually a few people waiting at the door when they open.

Gary

[matt]

I would not reactivate carbon. Also, I believe it lasts far less time than most people think; maybe a couple of days, depending on what's in your water. The last thing you want is carbon to release crap back into your water.

[GaryP]

I have heard, but not authenticated, that phosphate is released within 3 days. I think that organic phosphate may be degraded in the carbon and inorganic phosphate could be released.

Carbon beds are usually sites of a large amount of biological activity. All that surface area is going to generate a lot of bacterial colonies. That's one of the problems with carbon filter for drinking water. Baylor College of Medicine actually did a study on that and found that some of the drinking carbon filtered water was less healthy than straight out of the tap because of the bacteria. Most modern carbon used in these tap water filters is now impregnated with silver to limit bacterial growth.

Large molecules such as organics are usually trapped within the carbon. Small molecules such as inorganic ions are not going to be trapped very well.

Gary