Rowa carbon

bmk · 06/18/2008, 05:08 AM

Hi
I usually use Seachem Matrix carbon (in a external filter) and change it once a month. I deceided to try Rowa carbon, on reading the instructions it states to use it for only a couple of days and replace, surely it lasts longer than that. has anyone else used it, will it be ok for a month?

Many thanks for any advice.

Barry

Randy Holmes-Farley · 06/18/2008, 05:59 AM

Despite some recent articles, using activated carbon is still largely guesswork.

Depending on how much you use and what is in the water, it can be depleted fairly fast. Also, exactly which molecules are bound to it also likely changes over time as more and more organics pile up on it.

If you have a reason to be aggressive with carbon (the water is visibly yellow, you are trying to remove a toxin, etc), then you might consider changing it rapidly, and every 2 days seems OK. If it is being used under ordinary maintenance conditions, you can probably look to more like 2-4 weeks. If it appears to not be working as well as you'd like in some way, then swap it out more rapidly, or just use more.

bmk · 06/18/2008, 06:08 AM

Thanks Randy, I use it as part of my maintenance routine purley to keep the water 'clear', I use 100g in a bag, I also use a 100g bag of Purigen and 100g bag of Rowaphos. At the minute the water is crystal clear. Matrix carbon states that it will last for months but I like to change it every 4 wks, just wanted to make sure the Rowa will last or will it start to leech back into the water.

Barry

Randy Holmes-Farley · 06/18/2008, 06:19 AM

Well, I'd say the useful reality for reefers is in between the 2 days Row recommends and the months that Seachem recommends.

Good luck.

RF Ricardo · 10/10/2018, 08:44 AM

I AM a Quantum Physicist focused on developing new forms of carbon that maintain proper levels of pH, Nitrates, and Phosphates in naturally-shaped pieces of 100% organic carbon that is not washed in phosphoric acid like other Activated Carbon products can be. I called it AquaChar.

I AM so happy to hear about your experiences with normal Activated Carbon. This helps me to develop a product that fits in with your usual routines. Thank you all so much for the input! - RF Ricardo, Quantum Physicist

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fourstars · 10/10/2018, 11:11 AM

Would it be wiser to use it for a few days and then take it off line so it does not increase your phosphates and become just a biological filter?

RF Ricardo · 10/10/2018, 11:14 AM

Depends on if the carbon you are currently using was washed with phosphoric acid as many of the lower priced carbons made in China and packaged here are. Don’t know if they’ll put that info on their labels... ;-)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/18/2008, 05:08 AM	#1
bmk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: England Posts: 278	Rowa carbon Hi I usually use Seachem Matrix carbon (in a external filter) and change it once a month. I deceided to try Rowa carbon, on reading the instructions it states to use it for only a couple of days and replace, surely it lasts longer than that. has anyone else used it, will it be ok for a month? Many thanks for any advice. Barry

06/18/2008, 05:59 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Despite some recent articles, using activated carbon is still largely guesswork. Depending on how much you use and what is in the water, it can be depleted fairly fast. Also, exactly which molecules are bound to it also likely changes over time as more and more organics pile up on it. If you have a reason to be aggressive with carbon (the water is visibly yellow, you are trying to remove a toxin, etc), then you might consider changing it rapidly, and every 2 days seems OK. If it is being used under ordinary maintenance conditions, you can probably look to more like 2-4 weeks. If it appears to not be working as well as you'd like in some way, then swap it out more rapidly, or just use more. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

06/18/2008, 06:19 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Well, I'd say the useful reality for reefers is in between the 2 days Row recommends and the months that Seachem recommends. Good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

06/18/2008, 06:08 AM	#3
bmk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: England Posts: 278	Thanks Randy, I use it as part of my maintenance routine purley to keep the water 'clear', I use 100g in a bag, I also use a 100g bag of Purigen and 100g bag of Rowaphos. At the minute the water is crystal clear. Matrix carbon states that it will last for months but I like to change it every 4 wks, just wanted to make sure the Rowa will last or will it start to leech back into the water. Barry

10/10/2018, 08:44 AM	#5
RF Ricardo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 2	I AM a Quantum Physicist focused on developing new forms of carbon that maintain proper levels of pH, Nitrates, and Phosphates in naturally-shaped pieces of 100% organic carbon that is not washed in phosphoric acid like other Activated Carbon products can be. I called it AquaChar. I AM so happy to hear about your experiences with normal Activated Carbon. This helps me to develop a product that fits in with your usual routines. Thank you all so much for the input! - RF Ricardo, Quantum Physicist Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10/10/2018, 11:11 AM	#6
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	Would it be wiser to use it for a few days and then take it off line so it does not increase your phosphates and become just a biological filter?

10/10/2018, 11:14 AM	#7
RF Ricardo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 2	Depends on if the carbon you are currently using was washed with phosphoric acid as many of the lower priced carbons made in China and packaged here are. Don’t know if they’ll put that info on their labels... ;-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk