Description:
Activated carbon is one of the most useful tools in an aquarist's maintenance kit. It works through a process called adsorption, where impurities in the water bond to the surface of the carbon granules and are removed from the water column. The result is cleaner, clearer, odour-free water without altering your water parameters.
ORKU Granular Activated Carbon is made from sustainably sourced coconut shells, steam-activated for superior adsorption performance, and manufactured in Australia to ISO 9001:2000 certified standards. It's a meaningful step up from the coal-based carbon that makes up most of the market.
What it removes:
- Chlorine and chloramine from tap water
- Tannins that discolour water yellow or brown
- Dissolved organics and organic waste
- Odours and unwanted smells
- Medication residues after treatment
It will not alter your pH, affect water hardness, or harm fish, shrimp, snails, or live plants. It is also reef-safe.
Why coconut shell carbon over coal-based carbon?
Most activated carbon on the market is made from coal. Coconut shell carbon is a meaningful upgrade for a few reasons. It has up to 50% more micro-pores than coal-based carbon, which means more surface area for capturing smaller impurities that coal carbon misses. It has lower ash content, so it won't cloud your water or leach unwanted minerals. The granules are tougher and more structurally stable, meaning they resist breakdown and last longer in your filter. And it's an eco-conscious choice, coconut shells are a renewable agricultural by-product that would otherwise go to waste, and the carbon sequestered in the shell stays locked in rather than being released.
How much to use:
Use 50 to 100g per 100 litres of water depending on your bioload and water clarity needs. As a rough guide:
- 50L tank: 25 to 50g
- 100L tank: 50 to 100g
- 200L tank: 100 to 200g
How long it lasts:
In a typical aquarium, activated carbon lasts 6 to 8 weeks before its adsorption capacity is exhausted and it needs replacing. You may need to replace it sooner if your bioload is high, water begins to discolour or smell, or you've recently treated the tank with medication.
Important notes:
- Activated carbon does not remove ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, it is not a substitute for biological filtration
- It does not bind copper or heavy metals
- Remove carbon during medication treatment, it will absorb the medication before it can work. Reintroduce carbon after treatment is complete to remove any remaining medication residues. Always check the instructions on your medication to confirm
- Rinse thoroughly before use to remove fine carbon dust
- Place carbon after mechanical filter media such as sponge or filter pads in your media stack, not before
Granule size: 1.6 to 2.0mm for consistent flow through filter media without compacting or channelling.
Environmentally Friendly Choice:
Every coconut shell used helps sequester carbon, reduce agricultural waste and avoid the need to cut down trees for traditional charcoal production. By choosing coconut-based carbon, you're supporting a more sustainable, renewable resource that makes use of a by-product that would otherwise go to landfill or be burned.
Unlike coal-based carbon, coconut carbon stores carbon instead of releasing it, making it a climate-smart option for environmentally conscious aquarists. It’s an easy switch that reduces your tank’s environmental footprint without compromising on performance.
Whether you're running a simple planted tank or a complex aquascape, this carbon helps keep your water clear and your conscience clean whilst making a responsible choice for your aquarium and the planet!
Suitable for freshwater and saltwater aquariums, shrimp tanks, planted tanks, and reef systems.
Product Features:
- Made from sustainably sourced coconut shells
- Steam-activated for superior adsorption
- Manufactured in Australia to ISO 9001:2000 standards
- Removes chlorine, chloramine, tannins, odours, dissolved organics, and medication residues
- Won’t alter pH or water parameters
- Up to 50% more micro-pores than coal-based carbon – better at capturing smaller impurities
- Lower ash content – won’t cloud water or leach unwanted substances
- Longer-lasting granules with high structural strength
- Safe for freshwater, saltwater, shrimp, snails, and live plants
- Eco-conscious choice – renewable, sustainable, and tree-free
Product Specifications:
- Source: Coconut Shell Charcoal (Steam Activated)
- Particle Size: 6 x 12 Mesh
- Granule Size: 1.6 – 2.0 mm
- Uniformity Coefficient: <1.4
- GC Value: 1200
- Quality: QA ISO 9001:2000 Certified
- Made in: Australia
- Packaging: Resealable Bag
Items Included:
- 400g Activated Coconut Carbon (loose granules)
- Supplied in a resealable pouch for freshness and ease of storage
ORKU Granular Activated Carbon - Coconut Shell Charcoal - 400g
ORKU Granular Activated Carbon - Coconut Shell Charcoal - 400g
Everything about shipping, specifications and warranties is just below.
Why Shop With Us — Our Guarantee & Shipping Info
Why Shop With Us — Our Guarantee & Shipping Info
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Tips Before You Buy — Product Guidance
Tips Before You Buy — Product Guidance
💡 Unsure which product is right for your tank? Visit our Education section or Blogs for help choosing the best equipment.
🐟 Beginners can start with: How to set up your aquarium, while everyone can check out Aquarium Maintenance & Care for ongoing tank tips!
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How ORKU Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Compares
🥥 ORKU Coconut Shell Activated Carbon
- 🥥Coconut Shell Carbon: Made from sustainably sourced coconut shells, using a renewable agricultural by-product rather than coal as the raw material.
- 🔬High Micropore Structure: Coconut shell carbon has up to 50% more micropores than coal-based carbon, providing additional surface area for adsorption of smaller dissolved impurities.
- 💧Lower Ash Content: Lower ash content helps minimise unwanted residue and fine material entering the aquarium water.
- 🪨Strong, Stable Granules: The granules are designed to resist breakdown, helping them maintain their structure during use in aquarium filtration.
- 🇦🇺Manufactured in Australia: Produced in Australia to ISO 9001:2000 certified standards, providing an Australian-made alternative for aquarium filtration.
⚫ Standard Coal-Based Activated Carbon
- ⚫Coal-Based Material: Much of the standard activated carbon available for aquarium use is produced from coal rather than a renewable agricultural by-product.
- 🔬Different Pore Structure: Coal-based carbon has a different pore structure, with less micropore surface area available for capturing some smaller dissolved impurities compared with coconut shell carbon.
- 💧Higher Ash Content: Coal-based carbon can contain more ash and mineral residue, depending on the quality and processing of the carbon.
- 🪨Quality Varies: The performance and physical characteristics of standard activated carbon can vary depending on its source, processing and grade.
- 🌱Non-Renewable Source: Coal is a fossil fuel, whereas coconut shell carbon makes use of a renewable agricultural by-product that would otherwise become waste.
Activated carbon is one of those filter media items where quality genuinely matters, and most of what's available in the aquarium market is coal-based with minimal specification transparency. ORKU is Australian-made, ISO certified, and the coconut shell source is a real performance advantage over coal carbon, not just a marketing claim. The range of sizes also means it works for everyone from a hobbyist running a single tank to a fish room or commercial operation buying in bulk.
Replace carbon every 6 to 8 weeks under normal conditions, or sooner if water clarity or odour deteriorates. Always rinse new carbon in tank water or dechlorinated water before placing it in your filter to remove fine dust. When replacing, swap out only the carbon and leave your biological media untouched to protect your nitrogen cycle. If you've been treating your tank with medication, run fresh carbon for a full replacement cycle after treatment is complete to ensure all residues are cleared before reintroducing sensitive livestock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does activated carbon remove from aquarium water?
Activated carbon helps remove a range of dissolved impurities through adsorption, including tannins, dissolved organic compounds, unwanted odours, and medication residues. It can also help remove chlorine and chloramine from water, although a dedicated water conditioner should still be used when treating tap water for aquarium use.
Does activated carbon remove ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate?
No. Activated carbon is not a substitute for biological filtration and does not remove ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate from the aquarium. A properly established biological filter, regular water changes, and appropriate stocking levels remain essential for controlling these compounds.
Will activated carbon change my aquarium's pH or water hardness?
No. Activated carbon is designed to remove dissolved impurities through adsorption without significantly altering the aquarium's pH or water hardness. It can therefore be used in a wide range of freshwater and saltwater aquariums without intentionally changing your water parameters.
Should I use activated carbon all the time?
Activated carbon can be used continuously when you want to maintain clear, odour-free water and remove dissolved organic compounds. However, it is not essential for every aquarium, and many tanks can be successfully maintained using mechanical and biological filtration alone. Replace the carbon when its adsorption capacity becomes exhausted.
Can I use activated carbon with shrimp, snails, and live plants?
Yes. ORKU Granular Activated Carbon is suitable for freshwater and saltwater aquariums and is safe to use with shrimp, snails, fish, and live plants when used as directed. It does not intentionally alter pH or water hardness, making it suitable for a wide range of aquarium setups.
Should I remove activated carbon when treating my aquarium with medication?
Yes. Activated carbon can adsorb many medications and remove them from the water before they have had time to work. Remove the carbon before starting medication and follow the medication manufacturer's instructions. Once treatment is complete, fresh activated carbon can be added to help remove remaining medication residues from the water.
How much activated carbon should I use?
Use approximately 50–100g per 100 litres of aquarium water, depending on your bioload and water clarity requirements. As a general guide, a 50L aquarium would use approximately 25–50g, a 100L aquarium 50–100g, and a 200L aquarium 100–200g.
How long does activated carbon last?
In a typical aquarium, activated carbon will generally remain effective for around 6–8 weeks before its adsorption capacity becomes exhausted. It may need to be replaced sooner in heavily stocked aquariums, when water becomes discoloured or develops an odour, or after medication has been used. Replace the carbon when required rather than relying solely on a fixed schedule.
Where should I put activated carbon in my filter?
Activated carbon should generally be placed after your mechanical filter media, such as sponge or filter pads. This allows the mechanical media to capture larger particles first, helping prevent the carbon from becoming clogged with debris and allowing it to work more effectively on dissolved impurities in the water.
Do I need to rinse activated carbon before using it?
Yes. Rinse the carbon thoroughly with clean water before placing it into your filter to remove fine carbon dust produced during handling. Some temporary dark discolouration during the initial rinse is normal. Once the water runs relatively clear, the carbon is ready to use.
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