Page 34 - Water and the Aquarium

GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium Page 34
Page 34
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium Page 34
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium

The Forms of Carbon for the Consumer
The Forms of Carbon for the Consumer

There are a number of available forms of activated carbon for the consum-
There are a number of available forms of activated carbon for the consum-
er; I will cover a few of the more common ones.
er; I will cover a few of the more common ones.
1. Carbon Blocks: A Carbon block is mainly comprised of activated carbon
1. Carbon Blocks: A Carbon block is mainly comprised of activated carbon
granules and a binding agent along with heat and pressure that allows the carbon
granules and a binding agent along with heat and pressure that allows the carbon
granules to maintain a static position relative to each other: basically, a solid
granules to maintain a static position relative to each other: basically, a solid
piece of carbon. In a Carbon Block, the carbon particles are immobilized to
piece of carbon. In a Carbon Block, the carbon particles are immobilized to
promote uniformity of performance, stopping water from channeling. This has
promote uniformity of performance, stopping water from channeling. This has
always been debated because water flows through the path of least resistance
always been debated because water flows through the path of least resistance
and since a Carbon Block has a very low micron rating usually at 5 microns or
and since a Carbon Block has a very low micron rating usually at 5 microns or
below, if the water is not especially clean to begin with it can become plugged
below, if the water is not especially clean to begin with it can become plugged
and channeling will occur. They are relatively expensive and sell for as high $36
(Home Depot, Lowes) per cartridge. In my opinion a Carbon Block should only
and channeling will occur. They are relatively expensive and sell for as high $36
be used to remove Chlorine and never organics. They are placed into housing
(Home Depot, Lowes) per cartridge. In my opinion a Carbon Block should only
and usually installed under a sink which is known as POU (Point of Use).
be used to remove Chlorine and never organics. They are placed into housing
and usually installed under a sink which is known as POU (Point of Use).
2. Granular Activated Carbon: This is probably the most common of all car-
bons.
2. Granular Activated Carbon: This is probably the most common of all car-
It is usually placed in a canister and is good for removing both Chlorine and
bons.
Organics it is also relatively inexpensive $7 to $15 per cartridge. (Home
It is usually placed in a canister and is good for removing both Chlorine and
Depot,Lowes) . There is also a special type that is made using an extreme heat
Organics it is also relatively inexpensive $7 to $15 per cartridge. (Home
and pressure process this alters the surface structure of the carbon making it able
Depot,Lowes) . There is also a special type that is made using an extreme heat
to break the chlorine/chloramine bond. This has been used for kidney dialysis
and pressure process this alters the surface structure of the carbon making it able
patients as Chloramines is extremely toxic to them. Most of the activated carbon
to break the chlorine/chloramine bond. This has been used for kidney dialysis
available for the aquarium trade as well as the drinking water (potable water
patients as Chloramines is extremely toxic to them. Most of the activated carbon
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available for the aquarium trade as well as the drinking water (potable water
To Table of Contents