Thinking Aquarist

[Oddball]

I've never heard of any problems with using charcoal briquettes in aquaria. Just ensure there are no additives.
You'd be better off using filter carbon (lignite) as a substrate. There aren't many things higher in surface area for bio-filtration.

 

[tonymofo]

Keep us posted on your results. Maybe some pics too!!!

 

[cjohll]

It will become mushy and a mess in no time.

 

[lemcc]

UGF
Charcoal
UGF + Charcoal =

I don’t like either just my opinion

 

[davo]

As oddball said, it might be ok although if you need to med the tank, does that mean you'll have to take it out?

 

[schaadrak]

If your using lump charcoal you'll be alright. If your using briquettes then you'll probably have problems since they use binding agents and additives to help with ignition. Plus as someone else said, briquettes will probably dissolve into mush after a while.

 

[Dr Joe]

It will become mushy and a mess in no time.

What brand did you use?

I've used several different brands and have never had them "become mushy", I've had some in planted ponds for years with no ill effects (just to lazy to clean it out)

They will need to be changed out regularly, just like regular charcoal does, especially with it being on top of a UGF.


.

UGF
Charcoal
UGF + Charcoal =

I don’t like either just my opinion

Don't understand why ?

Why don't you like either?

.

As oddball said, it might be ok although if you need to med the tank, does that mean you'll have to take it out?

Yes.

.

Dr Joe

.

 

[lemcc]

UGF
Traps waste which can’t be removed easily
Gravel vac but you wont get half of it unless you completely breakdown UGF
IMO this is too much disturbance

Short circuit /fish dig/expose UGF/water flows to path of least resistance

Last and most important what could be an aquarist best friend is defeated
A nice anaerobic bed of substrate with a REDOX potential of say around 200

Carbon/Charcoal
Good for short treatments
Great absorption/Great surface area
But everything trapped is still active so if you don’t remove it all the waste is still there
Once it’s trapped all it can trap you can’t recharge it (I have heat treated mine but you lose like 50% effectiveness each time)
It will also dump what its absorbed after some period of time this is considered not to be a problem due to most people using it only for short periods

 

[mercury904]

UGF
Traps waste which can’t be removed easily
Gravel vac but you wont get half of it unless you completely breakdown UGF
IMO this is too much disturbance

Short circuit /fish dig/expose UGF/water flows to path of least resistance

Last and most important what could be an aquarist best friend is defeated
A nice anaerobic bed of substrate with a REDOX potential of say around 200

Carbon/Charcoal
Good for short treatments
Great absorption/Great surface area
But everything trapped is still active so if you don’t remove it all the waste is still there
Once it’s trapped all it can trap you can’t recharge it (I have heat treated mine but you lose like 50% effectiveness each time)
It will also dump what its absorbed after some period of time this is considered not to be a problem due to most people using it only for short periods

I see your point thanx very much