Reusing old carbon filters charcoal pellets

Mazer

Mazer

Well-Known Member
Dear Gentle Folks,

As a rule of life, I try to avoid to fill the landfills as much as possible. With that in mind I tried a couple of times (and failed) to refill my filters...
So I imagined an upcycling route for the filters. The casings can be reassigned to hundreds of other creative uses. No problem.
But I am wondering about the carbon pellets.
I do use biochar in my soil. Does any one see a problem that can arise if we use the pellets in the soil?

They could possibly be cleaned with high temps self cleaning pyrolytic oven that go beyond 900°F then crushed and used in soil.
(Yes I know the pyrolytic process is using enormous amount of energy, I will do the math at some point. But for now it is just theoretical.)

Has anyone reused the pellets this way or another before?

Carboningly yours,
M
 
Dmannn

Dmannn

Well-Known Member
Was the filter was used to remove contaminates? I wouldn't introduce contaminants into my soil or compost..
 
G

Growitpondifarm

Well-Known Member
I had a similar question I have a 5 gallon bucket full of charcoal pellets from a big marine tank system. They have a nice coating of organic matter on them after filtering the system for a year. I let them sit in a bucket out side to dry out a bit and weeds started popping up in there. I’m thinking they would be a great addition to my mix
 
lokie

lokie

Well-Known Member
I found this thread
https://www.rollitup.org/t/safe-to-add-the-activated-carbon-charcoal-from-a-filter-to-a-garden-bed.739186/

Singlemalt said:
Unless the filters were in a paint, auto or machine shop or any place with noxious hydrocarbons or acids its fine to toss in the garden soil. After a couple months it will come to equilibrium in the soil and then not affect nute levels to growing plants. I've done it for years with no problems.

Check this out, quite interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_preta
Click to expand...
I don't see that it should be any issues :bigjoint:
depending on what the carbon was used for prior to being used as a organic amendment.:weed:

@Singlemalt seems to be pleased with this type of recycle.

This link advocates the use in gardening.

https://www.livingnaturaltoday.com/2016/09/natural-uses-for-activated-charcoal/
3. As a Garden Booster
By using activated charcoal in your garden you’ll be able to improve soil drainage, reduce the risk of soil compaction, and also boost the nutrient level of the soil. There’s more though: activated charcoal can also improve soil’s water retention abilities, which is great for gardens that don’t get watered on a daily basis.

Aside from the soil boosting effect, activated charcoal helps improve germination and can also boost your plants’ ability to resist fungal disease and insect infestations.

If you’ve been looking for a natural fertilizer and eco-friendly insecticide, then you just found it. All you need to do to take advantage of what activated charcoal can do for your garden is to mix activated charcoal powder on a 2:3 ratio with organic compost. Treat your garden with the mixture on a monthly basis and you’ll be reaping the tranquil, green rewards in no time at all.

It should be noted, you don’t need to use food grade charcoal as it’d get very expensive.
 
Last edited:
Mazer

Mazer

Well-Known Member
Dear lokie,
Thanks for your input. the link you added is a fantastic addition to my quest for fat-happy-pretty-tasty-clean buds. FDor some obscure reason, my searches on RIU never turn up anything interesting. Yet I will not waste my time on other resources ( I am not gonna name names).

Thanks to you, I learned that activated charcoal is chemically processed (I did not know) vs biochar that is physically processed( I knew and will soon produce)
Great! Thanks!

Having said this I still am not sure about reusing the filters caronb pellets in my girls medium.
I am very protective of their tender white crunchy roots. So I might use the recycled pellets in my veggie garden (maybe after a pyrolytic oven treatment) as I am not comfortable to let my girls play in it since it sucks up any undesirable volatile component.

TossNotTheCarboningly yours,
M


lokie said:
I found this thread
https://www.rollitup.org/t/safe-to-add-the-activated-carbon-charcoal-from-a-filter-to-a-garden-bed.739186/



I don't see that it should be any issues :bigjoint:
depending on what the carbon was used for prior to being used as a organic amendment.:weed:

@Singlemalt seems to be pleased with this type of recycle.

This link advocates the use in gardening.

https://www.livingnaturaltoday.com/2016/09/natural-uses-for-activated-charcoal/
3. As a Garden Booster
By using activated charcoal in your garden you’ll be able to improve soil drainage, reduce the risk of soil compaction, and also boost the nutrient level of the soil. There’s more though: activated charcoal can also improve soil’s water retention abilities, which is great for gardens that don’t get watered on a daily basis.

Aside from the soil boosting effect, activated charcoal helps improve germination and can also boost your plants’ ability to resist fungal disease and insect infestations.

If you’ve been looking for a natural fertilizer and eco-friendly insecticide, then you just found it. All you need to do to take advantage of what activated charcoal can do for your garden is to mix activated charcoal powder on a 2:3 ratio with organic compost. Treat your garden with the mixture on a monthly basis and you’ll be reaping the tranquil, green rewards in no time at all.

It should be noted, you don’t need to use food grade charcoal as it’d get very expensive.
Click to expand...
 
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