HagenKB

Peat and Carbon in Fluval Canister

Should I use Peat and Carbon in my Fluval Canister?

Should I use Peat and Carbon in my Fluval Canister?
Using peat and activated carbon together is just like trying to fill a bucket which has hole at the bottom of it.

Activated carbon adsorbs many cations such as Iron, but it also removes the tannin (the brown tainting chemicals) that makes peat such an excellent softening and acidifying media. Peat filter medias will release substantial quantities of these tannins, therefore the activated carbon will be saturated by it very fast.

The buffering effect of peat moss will be absorbed by the activated carbon, and the activated carbon will not adsorb toxins because it is saturated by the tannin.

This is easily demonstrated. Charge a filter with peat and let the filter work for a week with just peat, then remove the peat filtration media. Replace the peat with some activated carbon. The water will become transparent in a matter of days as the carbon efficiently removes the tannin and other softening agents provided by the original peat.

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