reactivating carbon

[moneygetter1]

does rinsing carbon bags reactivate the carbon inside.

NO Really no need to use carbon unless removing tannins or meds as 'sohfatfish' stated. Carbon has a very short usefull lifespan (2-3 wks. tops.) Once it becomes exhausted it begins to do more harm than good by releasing the impurities back into the water column. Better to use that extra space to increase bio. JMHO!! Good luck, "T"

 

[freeskierrocket]

If you clean the pouch real well wont it continue its life as another bio filtration piece........??????.............also as a mech filtration piece...............I'm not saying let the carbon stay in the filter for months and let all the junk leak iback into the tank...............wash it out then you have more bio filtration right????????????????

 

[moneygetter1]

Negative. Eternal cleaning (rinsing) won't save you from the damage exhausted carbon can create. The internal adsorbent properties of carbon are excellent. Unfortunately, once exhausted, the toxins are released. Picture yourself holding weights. there's still room on the bar so a friend puts on some more. you're holding, holding, h o l d i n g ---- then -- exhaustion, you let go of all the weights. Similar deal. The mechanical or bio benifits are minor at best. The chemical properties of carbon are why it's used. Run it for a wk. or so to remove meds or tannins & then toss it. JMHO "T"

 

[freeskierrocket]

Negative. Eternal cleaning (rinsing) won't save you from the damage exhausted carbon can create. The internal adsorbent properties of carbon are excellent. Unfortunately, once exhausted, the toxins are released. Picture yourself holding weights. there's still room on the bar so a friend puts on some more. you're holding, holding, h o l d i n g ---- then -- exhaustion, you let go of all the weights. Similar deal. The mechanical or bio benifits are minor at best. The chemical properties of carbon are why it's used. Run it for a wk. or so to remove meds or tannins & then toss it. JMHO "T"

O.K. I will now stop resuing my carbon as mech then............in the trash it goes.............Oh and is it the same with those nitra-zorb pouched they sell for the rena canisters (reuse wise)????

 

[johnnylaw1984]

i always threw it away, i figured if you rinse it with tap water, the clorine would do more damage to filtration. Just pitch it

 

[RadleyMiller]

I don't use carbon, I have 350mL of purigen and a Vortex XL.

 

[moneygetter1]

O.K. I will now stop resuing my carbon as mech then............in the trash it goes.............Oh and is it the same with those nitra-zorb pouched they sell for the rena canisters (reuse wise)????

Some say it's very useful but I have no personal experience w/ the product. A/P says yes. This is their site.
http://www.aquariumpharm.com/en_us/productTechSheet.asp?productid=446
Good Luck, "T"