whats the difference

[hounds4u]

can anyone tell me what is the difference if any between ACTIVE CARBON and normal CARBON in granule form, to me they look the same apart from the cost and amount

Dave

 

[BobK]

I thought all carbon was the same, except for claims made by the manufacturers. The only carbon I use is in the filter cartridges I buy for HOB's.

 

[Bignose]

This is actually a very difficult question. First off, both are activated carbon in that they with adsorb some chemicals from your water and do all the things that carbon does.

Where the different carbons vary is in their equilibrium points, their adsorbtion rate, the size of the pores in the carbon, the porosity, the saturation levels, the impurities in the carbon, etc. And these depend upon where the carbon came from -- whether from coconut shells or tree bark or coal dug up from the ground. This is a very difficult question, and can really at this time only be answered by experimentation.

So I guess the advice kind of boils down to give it a try and if it doesn't work like you want, try a different kind.