Question on activated carbon

[ThePBM]

I have a 60-70 lb box of activated carbon in storage that was sent to me by USFilter when I requested a sample for a product development/research thing I was working on, but abandoned that project.
The activated carbon is made from coconut shells and the granules are approx 2-3mm, or whatever fine gravel is, i haven't measured the granules, just guesstimating.
Are there any special requirements for activated carbon to be used in the aquarium as filter media? I've only recently read into activated carbon as aquarium stuff since seeing it in the pet shop. and it sure is expensive! I got a load of this stuff free and would like to know if it's identical to that expensive stuff they sell at the pet shops.
tia.

 

[Full Metal Gundam]

you're in Hawaii I would be glad to take some off your hands
coconut carbon has much less adsorbtion than charcoal carbon and higher end carbon. just rinse before you use in your tank and depending on your bio load I would replace any where between 2 weeks and 4 weeks.

 

[ewurm]

Carbon is not really all that useful except in emergencies IMO. Your biofilter should already do what the carbon does, except that the carbon can remove desirable trace elements.

 

[ThePBM]

sorry pounder, had it shipped to me here in wisconsin.

my biggest tank at the moment is only a 20 gal long, and the water has never been crystal clear, just pretty clear. came across that other thread where people were saying to use AC to get clear water. that's all.
i'm only using a couple of sponge filters to maintain still waters for my gouramis (hydrosponge and dirtmagnet) though i have a couple unused adjustable-flow powerheads that i might try my hand at a diy powerhead-sponge filter one of these days.
or, if my excessive carbon supply is usable, i'll probably rig up a column filter along with that powerhead-sponge filter (that is, run the water from the powerhead to the top of a cylinder with AC in it with mesh on the bottom and let water trickle back into the tank, much like my brita drinking water / vodka filter)