​​​​​​​Factors affecting the effectiveness of activated carbon filtration and methods of use

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Factors affecting the effectiveness of activated carbon filtration and methods of use

The adsorption capacity of activated carbon is related to the water temperature and water quality. The higher the water temperature is, the stronger the adsorption capacity of activated carbon is; if the water temperature is as high as 30℃ or above, the adsorption capacity reaches the limit, and there is a possibility of gradual decrease. When the water quality is acidic, the adsorption capacity of activated carbon on anionic substances will be relatively weakened; when the water quality is alkaline, the adsorption capacity of activated carbon on cationic substances will be weakened. Therefore, the unstable PH of water quality will also affect the adsorption capacity of activated carbon.

The adsorption principle of activated carbon is:

     Form a layer of balanced surface concentration on the surface of its particles, and then adsorb the organic substance impurities into the activated carbon particles, the adsorption effect is very high at the initial stage of use. However, over time, the adsorption capacity of activated carbon will be weakened to varying degrees, and the adsorption effect will also decline. If the water quality in the aquarium is turbid and the organic matter content in the water is high, the activated carbon will soon lose its filtering function. Therefore, activated carbon should be cleaned or replaced regularly.

      The size of the activated carbon particles also has an effect on the adsorption capacity.

     Generally speaking, the smaller the activated carbon particles, the larger the filtration area. Therefore, powdered activated carbon has the largest total area and the best adsorption effect, but powdered activated carbon easily flows into the aquarium with the water, which is difficult to control and is rarely used. Granular activated carbon due to particle forming is not easy to flow, organic matter in the water and other impurities in the activated carbon filter layer is not easy to block, its adsorption capacity is strong, easy to carry and replace.

     The adsorption capacity of activated carbon is directly proportional to the contact time with water, the longer the contact time, the better the water quality after filtration.
 Note: The filtered water should flow out of the filter layer slowly. New activated carbon should be washed and cleaned before the first use, otherwise there will be ink-black water flowing out.

 Activated carbon in the filter before loading, should be in the bottom and the top of the 2 ~ 3 cm thick sponge, the role is to prevent algae and other large particles of impurities penetrate into the activated carbon after 2 ~ 3 months, if the filtering effect decreases should be replaced with a new activated carbon, sponge layer should be replaced on a regular basis, the efficiency of activated carbon depending on a number of factors, the shorter the setup of the aquarium tank, the more frequent replacement of the activated carbon needs to (about once a month), the setup time, the more frequent replacement of activated carbon (about once a month), the setup time, the better the quality of water. The shorter the aquarium setup time, the more frequently the activated carbon needs to be replaced (about once a month), and the longer the setup time, the longer the activated carbon can be effective in the aquarium (about four months or more).

     It is best to place the activated carbon in a mesh bag and fasten it. The bag filled with activated carbon can be placed in an external filter or in the sink of a drip filter. If necessary, the entire flow of water can be forced through the activated carbon, but in some cases this will increase the resistance of the filter to operation and reduce its effectiveness. However, since the activated carbon acts very slowly, it is recommended that a partial flow of water through the activated carbon filter is sufficient, so that the resistance of the filter is not affected.    

 The advantage of this method is that both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria can grow in the filter at the same time. Aerobic bacteria are able to oxidise and decompose, while anaerobic bacteria will decompose nitrate into nitrogen in the anaerobic zone of the activated carbon. Thus the activated carbon filter material will change from a chemical to a biological filter over time.