activted carbon all the same?

JOSH · #1 09-14-2006, 05:23 AM

i was just woundering if there is actvated carbon for just freshwater and then another kind for saltwater or is it just all the same stuff? is some better then others or is there a certian type should look for when buying carbon?

Johnny Reefer · #2 09-14-2006, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOSH

i was just woundering if there is actvated carbon for just freshwater and then another kind for saltwater or is it just all the same stuff? ....

No and no.
It's all the same stuff when it comes to FW vs. SW, but....it's not all the same stuff when it comes to carbon vs. carbon. Some carbons apparently have phosphates in it, whereas others claim to be phosphate free. I use Black Diamond by Marineland for both FW and SW. It's one of the "phosphate free" carbons.

HTH,

littlesilvermax · #3 09-14-2006, 06:48 AM

All carbon has some phosphates in it. Some have more then others

I also use BlackDiamond in my 250.

Quinster · #4 09-14-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlesilvermax

All carbon has some phosphates in it. Some have more then others

That is not completely true, there are carbons that are 100% phosphate free, many medical and technical grade carbons have no trace phosphates.

Johnny Reefer · #5 09-14-2006, 03:24 PM

Unless there is some kind of loophole where phosphate free doesn't necessarily mean 100% phosphate free, I think Marineland is legally bound to provide to the consumer phosphate free carbon, as they claim their Black Diamond carbon is. This is indicated in the small pamphlet they put inside the jar, on top of the carbon.
To me, Johnny Consumer, phosphate free means no phosphates. Period.

It'd be a good one for that TV show "Marketplace". They could test the stuff to see if what they say is true. But then, most people that watch the show probably wouldn't care.

Cheers

,

JOSH · #6 09-14-2006, 03:52 PM

so what would happen if you put in carbon with phosphate? what would be a result from it getting into your tank?

Johnny Reefer · #7 09-14-2006, 04:04 PM

The phosphates will leech out into the tankwater, thus increasing the water's phosphate level. Phosphates are a contributing factor toward algae and cyanobacteria growths. Keeping phosphate levels low is desired to help combat this. Less than or equal to 0.05 mg/l is an ideal, IMO.

Cheers

,

littlesilvermax · #8 09-14-2006, 04:45 PM

Something like 3+ years I read that there is a trace amount of phosphate that is below a certain level they can claim phosphate free.

Like a lot of drinking water says sodium free, but then on the side it shows how many ppm of sodium is in it, and there is some!

I am sure Quinster knows better!

GMGQ · #9 09-14-2006, 05:32 PM

This rings a bell with me too.

It's like how Ketchup is Worm Free, but Heinz can have a certain percentage of worms mixed into it

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlesilvermax

Something like 3+ years I read that there is a trace amount of phosphate that is below a certain level they can claim phosphate free.

Like a lot of drinking water says sodium free, but then on the side it shows how many ppm of sodium is in it, and there is some!

I am sure Quinster knows better!

Johnny Reefer · #10 09-14-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlesilvermax

Something like 3+ years I read that there is a trace amount of phosphate that is below a certain level they can claim phosphate free. ....

It's a shame that they can get away with things like that. I guess the saying should really be...."Buyer beware....uh....to a certain point".

Cheers

,