Carbon or charcoal???

peddro · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 06:52 PM

i don't think that charcoal and carbon are the same thing. so which one am i supposed to use as a layer to keep the nasties in check? if it's charcoal, can i just use the stuff from the fire pit? it's not like it's gonna have bugs in it, because it has been at a very hot temp, right??????help me out please, thanks.

Athen · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 07:06 PM

i dont believe that there really is much of a difference between charcoal and carbon unless you are meaning the kind of briquette charcoal but if you have wood that has been burnt to a charwood then the difference is minimal as far as i know even the black crust on burnt toast is still just carbon...

peddro · #3 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 07:07 PM

thanks. i'll just use that. much cheaper!

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 02:54 AM

Make sure you are using wood though, most commercial charcoal has been treated with chemicals. Also, while I have seen people recommend to put carbon in the substrate, be aware that after a certain amount of time (based on the amount of chemicals it absorbs), you will have to dig everything up and change it, because it will begin to leach the chemicals back into your substrate/water table. I would prefer a false bottom with filtration in a sump. That way the carbon can be changed as needed, and there is no worry about poisoning your substrate when the carbon can no longer hold the chemicals. Using a sump helps water quality (easier to balance in larger amounts of water), and also keeps everything outside the tank and easy to service. I am finally able to do a sump for my dragon tank, since the bottom will be plexi, which I am able to drill myself. When using a sump, it is also easier to put together your own filtration media (floss, sponge, carbon, polishing pad, whatever and however you want to do it). I am currently using a layering system (sponge, carbon, 2 polishing pads, then another sponge to grow some algae on top) in my Whisper 10i, but I'm still not entirely happy with it, because I have to clean the filter every couple of days (and it is only filtering 2 gallons of water). Anyway, I'm sure that's more than you were looking for for an answer, so I'll hush now...