What is the use of activated carbon in fish tank filtration? how to use?

What is activated carbon? Why does it purify water?

Now that I understand what filtration actually does, I have a higher standard for water quality. Let’s talk briefly about activated carbon first. If you love aquatic pets, are you using them correctly?

The adsorption effect of activated carbon is well known. It is used in many aspects of life, so there is no doubt that it is useful for aquariums as well. But getting the best out of it involves more than just putting it in your canister.

Regarding activated carbon filtration, it intercepts suspended pollutants in the water. The larger the pores and surface area of activated carbon, the stronger its adhesion to suspended solids in water, and the filtration effect will be enhanced. While intercepting suspended pollutants, it can also make the next layer of filtration function better and reduce the burden of purifying water quality.

Activated carbon is generally composed of more than 80% hydrophobic carbon, with a large number of micropores on the surface. In addition to its filtering effect, it also has an adsorption effect. Because the increase in surface area is directly proportional to the adsorption effect. It can effectively remove odors, pigments, various organic pollutants, some inorganic substances, heavy metal impurities, etc. in the adsorbed waterGenerally speaking, the adsorption of activated carbon is also divided into two types, namely physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. The principle of physical adsorption is very simple and will not be described in detail here. Chemisorption also plays an important role. Activated charcoal is primarily carbon, but also contains some chemical combinations. After activation, these raw materials can fully exert the magical effect of chemical adsorption filtration.

How to use activated charcoal to maximize its effectiveness?

We won’t go into details about the specific principles. Everyone knows that activated carbon is good, so let’s talk about the usage issue that aquarium enthusiasts are most concerned about: How to use activated carbon to maximize its effectiveness?

01.Selection of activated carbon

The first step is to look at the activated carbon itself. Because when buying activated carbon, people often only see a bag of black activated carbon particles. From a product perspective, quality naturally varies. Good activated carbon is processed through a complex process, which is commonly known as activation treatment. This can greatly increase the surface area of activated carbon and double its adsorption capacity.

First, we need to choose activated carbon with smaller particles. the reason is simple. The smaller the particles, the greater the total surface area and the stronger the filtration and adsorption effects. But please note that these particles are very small and are not trash or toner. No one wants to turn their fish tank into an inkwell.

Secondly, the surface of activated carbon without activation treatment often looks very shiny. If the pores on the carbon particles are as large as possible, then their surfaces should be rough, so this characterization is relatively easy to observe.

02.Use of activated carbon

In the second step, let’s talk about the use of activated carbon, which is also an issue that everyone is more concerned about. Simply put, it is where it should be placed, that is, which layer of the filtration system it should be placed on.

As we just said, the larger the surface area of activated carbon, the greater the adsorption effect it can exert. However, those tiny pores that increase the surface area are also slowly blocked during the adsorption process. Once blocked, it naturally loses its effectiveness.

Therefore, activated carbon must be placed under the filter cotton as a second layer of filter material. First, let the filter cotton handle the suspended solids in the water to the maximum extent, which will also reduce the adsorption burden of activated carbon.

Filter cotton is a physical filtration and cannot remove soluble contaminants. At this time, activated carbon comes into play. After activated carbon filtration and adsorption, filter materials such as biological balls and ceramic rings are placed below. This way, your nitrifying bacteria can survive safely.

Only by exerting the effect of activated carbon can it truly have a purifying effect.

Because we choose different filtration methods according to rules, including upper filtration, lower filtration, outer filtration, etc. Activated carbon particles must be installed in mesh bags because the material is not permanent and needs to be replaced regularly.

If your filter tank space is ideal, then in order from top to bottom: filter cotton, biochemical cotton, activated carbon, ceramic ring, filter cotton. Then it's best to replace the activated carbon once a month or so because it's full.

Another point is to pay attention to the PH of the water quality. Unstable water quality will also affect the adsorption efficiency of activated carbon. Of course, it should also be noted that when medicating sick fish, it is best to remove the activated carbon because of the adsorption effect.