carbon tube

[eklikewhoa]

Re: carbon tube

They remove chlorine.

A good de-chlorinator will break down chloramine and I think bind it in a less lethal state so that it does not kill the fish. I believe carbon will remove them.

[fshfrk]

Re: carbon tube

but will carbon remove chlorimines?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: carbon tube

Yes, In a way but I doubt that whiskey bottle of yours is doing much to help.

[fshfrk]

Re: carbon tube

maybe you shuold come over here and drink some of this whiskey, it seems to help me alot.

[peterp63]

Re: carbon tube

I had a question regarding carbon tap water filters, too.  I really like the one Delock has for his 350 gallon's water changes, but it's a bit pricey for me.  I plan on builing one using a Sea Salt 5 gallon bucket.  The one with the screw on lid and O-ring.  My questions is:  Do you just run tap water straight through the bed and into the aquarium with the fish in it?  How do you know that the carbon will sufficiently remove all of the chemicals and contaminants??  I think it's a great idea for doing water changes on large tanks, but I don't want to chance anything with my fish either.  I have a 300 gallon that needs relatively frequent water changes...

Also, I bought a 55 lb bag of 4x8 mesh activated carbon from a local water clarification store.  $140.  This is the stuff that the LFS's use.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: carbon tube

Use a chlorine test kit to check the chlorine level coming out of the carbon filter.
Actually, I thinK a long pipe would be better than a short fat bucket.  
The water actually would come in contact with more carbon.

Why Amquill+ is better than THIOSULFATE

[peterp63]

Re: carbon tube

I would love to use a chemical treatment, but I would need a large container to hold the water and pump out of... with such a large tank requiring large water changes I would like to build something in-line.

Does anyone know where to get 6" or 8" PVC?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: carbon tube

I would probably look into getting a drum.

[peterp63]

Re: carbon tube

That sounds like I need a lot more GAC for a drum, Ek.  Hey, do you guys leave water in the carbon filter when not in use?  I wonder if it does something to the bed if it's always submersed in water.

I'm now thinking to get a 6" or so diameter pipe about 6 foot long and incorporating it into the design of my canopy.  That way I can just run a hose over to it and open up a couple of valves and BAM!  Nice sparkling water!  How does that sound??  How long would the carbon last?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: carbon tube

If you are circulating water with dissolved solids/waste through then not long at all.....

[peterp63]

Re: carbon tube

This carbon filter will be built solely for filtering tap water when doing water changes.

[fshfrk]

Re: carbon tube

my chemist friend and i talked for a couple hours on these filters. he says a sand bed of pool filter sand will make the carbon last a lot longer along with back flushing. i still want to talk with someone with a pentair fluidized bed filter to see if the top is removable. if it is maybe it could be used as a carbon filter? maybe a lfs has the biggest one in stock. someone close could check it out and post?

[peterp63]

Re: carbon tube

What exactly does pool filter sand do?  Just guessing I would say it removes some particulates, but tap water doesn't really have many solids in it....

[fshfrk]

Re: carbon tube

it's a prefilter and it will extend the life of the carbon. back flushing must be done. i said the same thing about tap water being clean already. he said you would be surprised by the amount of stuff in our water.

[Zulaab]

Re: carbon tube

I agree with fshfrk ---  take a super clean glass of water put saran wrap over it and let it sit for a week... note the crud on the bottom.

Pool filter will take out all the small particles and the carbon filter will take out all the chemical products.