importracer;4565278; said:
Pure awesomeness!! Carbon will deactivate and send the toxins back in the water after some point.
Aquaclear 110 Mod
- Thread starter Crazed Demasoni
- Start date
Pure awesomeness!! Carbon will deactivate and send the toxins back in the water after some point.
sorry but this is incorrect. carbon does not leach toxins back into the water.
when the carbon is saturated (all the binding sites for adsorption are full) no more toxins will be adsorbed, but those molecules that are already there remain there.
12 Volt Man;4566166; said:
Where did you get that info from? Just wondering because I was always under the impression from other members thatthe carbon goes bad? Maybe I'm wrong, but I was never 100% certain. I never saw any factual info on the whole carbon debate. I personally don't use carbon in any of my tanks.
I did research when I was in university on GAC (granular activited carbon). carbon leaching back out toxins is just one of those myths that gets spread around. from what I have read, it IS possible to get some leaching with certain parameters that are never found inside the home aquaria (like extreme pH values for example). and of course you can literally burn off all the bound organics if you heat up the carbon to 550 degrees for 20 minutes etc. this 'reactivates' the GAC.
the molecules (toxins, organics, chlorine etc) that are adsorbed on the surface of the carbon granule are held in place by van der walls forces (basically electrostatic bonding). they stay there.
but you won't get any more adsorption because the binding sites are already saturated.
so, leaving carbon in your tank for months doesn't do any harm at all.
it does become a nice home for more nitrifiers though.
however, if you want it to keep doing its original intended purpose, then yes, you do need to change it.
the molecules (toxins, organics, chlorine etc) that are adsorbed on the surface of the carbon granule are held in place by van der walls forces (basically electrostatic bonding). they stay there.
but you won't get any more adsorption because the binding sites are already saturated.
so, leaving carbon in your tank for months doesn't do any harm at all.
it does become a nice home for more nitrifiers though.
however, if you want it to keep doing its original intended purpose, then yes, you do need to change it.
Carbon is a waste unless you need it to remove meds or discolouration.
Use bio media instead like ceramic rings or sponges or pot scrubbies etc.
Also, make sure the person knows how to feed the tank properly for food and fill up the tank if needed while you are gone.
Best of luck.
Use bio media instead like ceramic rings or sponges or pot scrubbies etc.
Also, make sure the person knows how to feed the tank properly for food and fill up the tank if needed while you are gone.
Best of luck.
i use double sponges, have for years and I see no better way to keep in aqquarclear, just my 2 cents.
Thanks guys. She knows how to maintain the tank, and has been doing so including vacuuming and water changes etc. I'm just torn between sponge #2 or ceramics.
