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Re: Carbo-plus
> From: IDMiamiBob at aol_com
> Subject: Re: Carbo-plus
>
> Paul Sears writes:
>
> << It _may_ effect the following reaction in hard water:
>
> Ca++ + 2HCO3- -> CaCO3 + H2O + CO2
>
> That _is_ consistent with Merrill's observations e-mailed
> to me in late 1998.
> >>
>
> That asumes Bicarbonates.
It assumes bicarbonates _and_ calcium (maybe magnesium would do
it).
> If indeed it did affect hardness like this, it
> would handy for people trying to soften their tanks, and the resultant drop
> in KH would be measureable by someone who has used the thing for more than a
> month, even with regular partial water changes.
KH and GH should drop - I would like to see some measurements, not
to mention some tests on the deposit that forms on the device.
> But what about pure
> carbonate solutes like Ca(CO3)2?
Do you mean CaCO3? The solubility product of that is very low.
In aquaria, the pH ensures that the HCO3- concentration is much higher
than the CO3-- concentration.
Would we get?:
>
> 2 Ca++ + 2 CO3 ----> 2Ca + O2 + 2CO2
No. One thing you will _not_ get is metallic calcium.
> This could be handy, and I would buy it for sure if that is how it works. I
> would drop it in a barrel of water and after GH and KH drop far enough I
> would use the purified water for my apistos and angels, and maybe even start
> keeping discus.
It would be a _lot_ cheaper to boil the water:
Ca++ + 2HCO3- -> CaCO3 + H20 + CO2 (leaves with steam)
Then just filter off the CaCO3 before atmospheric CO2 re-enters
and causes it to redissolve.
--
Paul Sears Ottawa, Canada