Boiling carbon?

GreenSpottedPuffer · #1 11-20-2009, 08:01 PM

I once heard from someone to boil carbon in RO water to get the phosphates out. Mostly for the not so pure brands. I know the ZEO carbon is suppose to have little to no PO4.

Anyone confirm this for me?

regent2009 · #2 11-20-2009, 09:12 PM

yeah, or microwave it ?

Oceanic · #3 11-20-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regent2009

yeah, or microwave it ?

Every time I do a carbon change I put it in a container of RO water and microwave for 2 minutes on high. All the dust and impurities float to the surface, the carbon can go directly into the tank.

Works great....

You would be surprised what oily looking residue you find floating on the surface of the water.....

lastlight · #4 11-20-2009, 10:14 PM

wow good tip then. I'll have to try this.

regent2009 · #5 11-20-2009, 10:16 PM

thx Justin brot this up. i'm just about to replace it.

Snaz · #6 11-20-2009, 10:29 PM

You can reactivate carbon a couple of times by placing in an old frying pan and cooking on the BBQ as hot as you can get it.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #7 11-20-2009, 10:35 PM

I don't have a microwave but I will try boiling it and see what happens.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #8 11-20-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaz

You can reactivate carbon a couple of times by placing in an old frying pan and cooking on the BBQ as hot as you can get it.

Good to know!

fkshiu · #9 11-20-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaz

You can reactivate carbon a couple of times by placing in an old frying pan and cooking on the BBQ as hot as you can get it.

I seem to remember that you would need to get the carbon up to temperatures only an industrial kiln can achieve to properly "recharge" the carbon. Not sure of the exact numbers, though.

Snaz · #10 11-21-2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkshiu

I seem to remember that you would need to get the carbon up to temperatures only an industrial kiln can achieve to properly "recharge" the carbon. Not sure of the exact numbers, though.

Certainly the hotter the better but in my experience you can get quite a bit out of the carbon with a BBQ. My only measure is after being cooked the carbon will again "snap, crackle and pop" when wet albeit to a lesser extent than if new.