Is there anyway I can make my own activated carbon, or can I purchase it in bulk form. So I don't have to purchase it from retail pond suppliers and pay 100 times the actual cost. Isn't charcoal actually carbon in some form? You know.....why can't I dump some briskets in my skimmer and call it good? I know there is some reason why I can't and that is why I'm throwing it out here for conversation. CF :ph43r:

Here's what Wikipedia says:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activated_carbon

If you had actual carbon (no other chemicals), you could certainly put that in the filter but it wouldn't do nearly as much as the activated carbon that has a lot more surface area. The carbon is superheated. I doubt you have an oven that hot!

Charcoal and carbon are often used interchangeably. I don't know what briskets are made of, if they're just carbon or what.

There are some places that sell activated carbon cheaper than others. I order mine from http://www.thatpetplace.com for half the price of the local pet store.

I am not exactly sure but I think briquets and the like have some type of fluid in them that helps them ignite.

Good point Karen. I wouldn't use charcoal briquets, no way! Not unless I knew exactly what I had, and what I was doing.

Besides the ignitors in charcoal; most companies also add chemical binders during the extraction/extrusion process; essentially the glue that holds the briquet shape. :ph43r: