Charcoal in water

**ole** · 12th Apr 2011, 08:07

hi,

i'm wanting to create more "hiding spots" as well as surface for my java moss to attach to.

i was thinking of using fishing line to tie charcoal pieces to form structures in the middle of the tank.

kinda make sense to me since charcoal help to absorb toxic and shouldn't rot. wondering if anyone know anything about it. by the way normal charcoal, not activated charcoal. i know activated charcoal will absorb the stuff relatively fast then get saturated with the "bad stuff" and need to be replaced. normal bbq charcoal sounds like can absorb toxic and reduce odour thus helping to keep water clean.

anyone know more about this? google only give me results regarding activated charcoal when i include "aquarium" or "water" in the search.

**Mr.Oink** · 12th Apr 2011, 12:39

I think you can go daiso to get those bamboo charcoal since its hollow, they will be good hiding grounds for your shrimps.

**benedetto13** · 12th Apr 2011, 12:49

Try the one at C328? The size S costs $2 only and I've been using it in my shrimp tank for 6months? So far so good.

**ole** · 12th Apr 2011, 13:22

so normal charcoal in water is perfectly okay?

by the way where is C328? seems like a popular shop among the users on this forum.

**ronaldshi** · 12th Apr 2011, 14:17

If I am not wrong charcoal absorbs the nutrients and and would 'melt' after some time. That's why I didn't use charcoal as a filter medium.

**ole** · 12th Apr 2011, 14:28

i know activated charcoal definitely will due to the significantly increased surface area after treatment. but normal charcoal which is untreated?

**ronaldshi** · 12th Apr 2011, 14:32

activated charcoal is just charcoal that is treated to be more porous. so that means activated or not activated. same effect just that activated charcoal absorbs toxic much faster. that having said, i think think charcoal as a whole is not suitable to be used as driftwood.