is carbon and bar b q charcoal the same?

Discussion in 'First Time Marijuana Growers' started by nenu, Jan 17, 2007.

  1. hi, i am going to built my own filter which i am attaching to my exaust fan.. can i use charcoal that u use in a bar b q or does it have to be the carbon u use in aquarium filters.. also i found these lights which are incandesent bulbs but specially for growing they are called "spot R80 natura"... this is thier site www.osram.com.. i put 4 of them in with my cfl's and are working great... but on this forum i read that incandescent lights are no good... thanku.. this is my first grow and all is going well so far thanks to grasscity and the people that share thier experiences...
     
  2. Charcoal and activated carbon are not the same thing. If you want to make a homemade carbon scrubber, use the search function and fid one to suit your needs. Icandescent light is crap, most of the time it take more energy to make them brighter than it's worth. Go with more CFLs or some floro tubes if lighting is a problem.
     
  3. Don't use BBQ charcoal, that is not pure carbon.

    For activated charcoal search the web or go to a pet supply store, in the aquarium section...
     
  4. DAMN.... just bought 4 kilos of charcoal. hehe oh well.. i should have waited for your advice... can u tell me how much activated carbon i need.. the reoson i ask is that were i come from its quite expensive and i'm on a tight budget.. can u tell me or direct me to a thread, how much carbon i need to make a decent filter.. i'm growing 8 plants right now but when i sex them i'm planning on keeping 3 maximum.. abouth those incandesent lights.. they told me at the shop they had the right light spectrum to grow plants indoors. do you think they fucked me over?? it says on the bulb "natura" which means nature and the box shows the bulb over some plants.. i also have 5 cfl's going and 2,4 ft flouescents.. the plants seem to be doing really well but i just want to make sure i'm doing it right.. sorry i'm babbling on but i'm a little stoned.. hehe
     
  5. In my opinion, I would just return the incandescent light. I don't know much abotu them, but it seems like you have enough CFLs and floro tubes. I doubt you got "ripped off," he probably told you correct information, but maybe not it's effectiveness. Or keep it, it won't necessairly hurt, but i don't know how much it'll help either.
     



  6. Actually, they are the same thing.
    According to Britanica the difference is "activated" carbon has been made
    more porous by oxygen.
    But its the "same" substance

    There is a difference when used in filters however.
    While BBQ charcoal will work "lets say 1 month"
    the same amount of activated charcoal would work for 3-5 months.

    But if you go ghetto, you get ghetto results.
    then again, the price difference is 3-5 cheaper too lulwut.

    in the end tho, same stuff, less porous.
    dont spread information you really dont know anything about.

    For those who need proof its in Encyclopedia Britannica.
    Flame away dullards.


    Edit: Use caution with BBQ charcoal, most has been treated for flamability "its for BBQs remember"
     
  7. you get the kind pre-soaked with lighter fluid? Match light?
     

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