Triple-Action Activated Carbon Rapidly Removes Ammonia, Chlorines & Enhances ORP.Overview:- Next-generation,
enhanced activated carbon, offering superior chemical filtration
characteristics to traditional activated carbon.
- Triple-action
removes ammonia, chloramines, and latent organic material, and then
facilitates decomposition and oxidation/reduction reactions, enhancing
oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and promoting water quality.
- Features high capacity for organic removal, high Iodine number, and minimal dust.
- Average particle size encourages optimal flow and effectiveness.
Technical Background:Activated
carbon is a catch-all name for products that may be derived from coal,
wood, or coconut shell, and which have undergone treatment
(“activation”) to increase their porosity; the porosity and average pore
size of the material is largely responsible for the effectiveness that
it will have with regards to removing dissolved organic material from
water and vapor. Contrary to claims made by manufacturers/suppliers of
activated carbon, trace and minor elements are both actively- and
passively-removed by any quality activated carbon; in the case of the
former, this is due to gaps in the pores that are partially blocked by
large molecules, into which trace and minor elements can pass and become
trapped, and in the case of the latter, this is a result of these
elements being trapped in binding sites on the large organic molecules,
themselves, which are then removed by the carbon. Therefore,
supplementation of trace and minor elements should take place after
carbon use. Some hobbyists prefer to utilize activated carbon in their
aquaria on a full-time basis, while others choose to employ it only when
attempting to remove some sort of undesirable substance, such as an
abundance or organic material or a medication. There are arguments to
support both methods of use, therefore it is up to each individual
hobbyist to determine what will work best for their aquaria. In general,
freshwater aquaria, which do not have the benefit of protein skimming,
can benefit from full-time use of activated carbon, whereas marine
aquaria employing protein skimming may benefit more from only
occassional carbon use.
Instructions and Guidelines:Prior
to first use, rinse under a stream of fresh water. Each 225 g of
CARBONĪT-X3 is suited to efficiently filtering up to 225 US-gallons
(~852 L) of water. The method in which CARBONĪT-X3 is employed will
dictate reaction time with the water and consequently the rate at which
organic material will be extracted; therefore, the greater the reaction
time between carbon particles and water, the faster this process will
occur. See opposite panel for additional instructions.
Instructions and Guidelines:The
use of a mechanical pre-filter to remove particulate organic material
from water prior to its interaction with this media will prolong
effectiveness. Begin with 1g per 20 US-gallons in the system per week
and adjust this ratio as conditions dictate. In high-nutrient aquaria,
replace after 24-hours of total use; placement in lower-nutrient aquaria
may be extended up to 48-hours of total use. Aquarist may choose to
employ CARBONĪT-X3 for 1 - 2 hours each day throughout the course of a
1-month period to help improve water quality. If used in this fashion,
CARBONĪT-X3 should be discarded and replaced at the conclusion of each
month. Regardless of the method of application, slowing the flow of
water through the media will improve its effectiveness.
Canister filtration:Load
carbon into filter cartridge as directed by filter manufacturer.
Passive filtration: Place CARBONĪT-X3 loosely in an 800μm mesh filter
bag and locate in an area of low- to medium-flow. Turning bag over once
during usage will serve to shift the carbon particles and increases
effectivness of this method.
Note:
CARBONĪT-X3 is not a tradtitional form of activated carbon; it is far
more effective per unit mass at removing dissolved organic material, and
while it may be employed continuously, aquarists may prefer a
traditional form of activated carbon, such as Brightwell Aquatics
CARBONĪT-P, for general use. CARBONĪT-P rapidly removes latent organic
material from aquaria, however cannot remove ammonia and chloramines,
and does not directly facilitate higher ORP as CARBONĪT-X3 does.