Charcoal instead of drift wood.

[green plant]

Has any one use charcoal block instead of drift wood iin planted tank? What are the things that I need to take care of if charcoal block is used.

Thanks.

[adolfoi]

Why do you need to put Charcoal?? I did not heard anyone doing this before.....

[Jimmy]

i only heard of charcoal filter...

[altum]

I think he is thinking of using a nice piece of charcoal as the center
piece instead of a nice piece of driftwood. Its not a filter medium,
but a decorative piece.

Well, to the TS, you can try, guess there is nothing wrong if you can
get the black stuff cleared before putting it in. Do let us know the
results.

[seanskye]

I'm using bamboo charcoal piece in my tank for my shrimps and fishes. Make sure you boil the charcoal properly for at least ten minutes and leave to soak overnite to remove all the charcoal dust and particles that might get dislodged later. Also helps to prevent the charcoal from floating up.

This is just for normal charcoal though, not sure about activated charcoal I heard they might leak back the toxins they absorbed after a few months. Although I dun believe in this, normal charcoal is much cheaper and safer!

[green plant]

I have a low maintenance tank with activated charcoal chip and palm peat, plant are growing health. Hence thinking of trying normal charcoal o0n another tank. Cheaper as compare with driftwood.

I have read about the bamboo charcoal from Daiso in this forum, seems encouraging.

now need to find where to buy normal charcoal in loose form so that can choose piece.

[rav]

Charcoal are pretty neutral, they are after all carbon. Think of orchids Should be pretty safe to use for plants.

[herns]

Charcoal?? Why??

[feide]

I think it might be feasible.
I bought a piece of Narrow Leaf Java Fern, it is tied to a piece of charcoal, growing fine and not causing any problem in my tank.
Having the same thoughts as bro green plant, get some bamboo charcoal from Daiso to tie moss/anubus.

[joydiv]

Charcoal usually contains phospates. An increase in the level of phospates may lead to algae problem.
However if you can manage your water chemistry well, there is no harm.

[herns]

I know orchids do well with charcoal . I never heard being use for aquariums.

[moss]

I bought a small charcoal rectangular block with US Fissiden on it from Colourful. I thought they look much better than wire mesh. Moreover, they blend (aesthetically) with the black Gex soil.