activted carbon all the same?

JOSH · #1 09-14-2006, 05:23 AM

i was just woundering if there is actvated carbon for just freshwater and then another kind for saltwater or is it just all the same stuff? is some better then others or is there a certian type should look for when buying carbon?

Johnny Reefer · #2 09-14-2006, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOSH

i was just woundering if there is actvated carbon for just freshwater and then another kind for saltwater or is it just all the same stuff? ....

No and no.
It's all the same stuff when it comes to FW vs. SW, but....it's not all the same stuff when it comes to carbon vs. carbon. Some carbons apparently have phosphates in it, whereas others claim to be phosphate free. I use Black Diamond by Marineland for both FW and SW. It's one of the "phosphate free" carbons.

HTH,

littlesilvermax · #3 09-14-2006, 06:48 AM

All carbon has some phosphates in it. Some have more then others

I also use BlackDiamond in my 250.

Quinster · #4 09-14-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlesilvermax

All carbon has some phosphates in it. Some have more then others

That is not completely true, there are carbons that are 100% phosphate free, many medical and technical grade carbons have no trace phosphates.

Johnny Reefer · #5 09-14-2006, 03:24 PM

Unless there is some kind of loophole where phosphate free doesn't necessarily mean 100% phosphate free, I think Marineland is legally bound to provide to the consumer phosphate free carbon, as they claim their Black Diamond carbon is. This is indicated in the small pamphlet they put inside the jar, on top of the carbon.
To me, Johnny Consumer, phosphate free means no phosphates. Period.

It'd be a good one for that TV show "Marketplace". They could test the stuff to see if what they say is true. But then, most people that watch the show probably wouldn't care.

Cheers

,

JOSH · #6 09-14-2006, 03:52 PM

so what would happen if you put in carbon with phosphate? what would be a result from it getting into your tank?

Skimmerking · #7 09-14-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinster

That is not completely true, there are carbons that are 100% phosphate free, many medical and technical grade carbons have no trace phosphates.

like Quinns stuff truely amazing give him a call at prairie reef supplies for some very cheap too .

kwirky · #8 09-15-2006, 04:43 AM

Copanies use the term "XXX free" rather than "no XXX" because linguistically, it's a euphemism, and it has plenty of grey area for lawsuits

. Think freedom vs. rights.

It's a euphemism, just like "smaller chance of..." and "most cases..." etc etc... All product packaging is full of euphemisms