Strong odor in activated carbon

[ribosomereefer]

I recently bought the fluval activated carbon bag to remove any leather coral chemicals, moisturizer, soap, etc. that might have been introduced into the tank.

Upon rinsing it with my tank water, I immediately noticed a shellfish smell, almost like a seafood market. When I added it to my tank, the layer of fat/protein film I normally have on the surface seemed to have precipitated and I immediately removed it. I removed the carbon too bc I wasn't sure what was going on and my tank was reeking of shellfish. It went away after a few hours and all the corals/fish/inverts seem unfazed. Any idea what was going on? Should I try adding carbon again?

(For reference, I've never ran carbon/GFP before and I don't have a protein skimmer. Ammonia/Nitrite not tested but was consistently zero before. Nitrate = 10-20, phosphate = 0.1-0.2, pH ~ 8)

 

[KrisReef]

Sounds like the Carbon was contaminated or used before you bought it? I can't think of any reason that carbon would have any smell if it was "new" so based upon your description I wouldn't keep that one and I might try another one in its place. Not knowing is unsettling and it should not have a smell until after it has been working for a while.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Carbon absorbs odors if left open to the air and they might be released when something else comes along to displace it.

 

[benthicBarbarian]

Carbon absorbs odors if left open to the air and they might be released when something else comes along to displace it.

Is it still safe to use? I also have this EXACT same problem. I rinsed it, smelled like seafood, and it left a film when I put it in.

 

[benthicBarbarian]

Carbon absorbs odors if left open to the air and they might be released when something else comes along to displace it.

Sounds like the Carbon was contaminated or used before you bought it? I can't think of any reason that carbon would have any smell if it was "new" so based upon your description I wouldn't keep that one and I might try another one in its place. Not knowing is unsettling and it should not have a smell until after it has been working for a while.

I know this thread is a year old but u ran into this exact same issue.

So After I rinsed it more under tap water, the smell went away. It should be safe now, no?

 

[KrisReef]

Is it still safe to use? I also have this EXACT same problem. I rinsed it, smelled like seafood, and it left a film when I put it in.

ribosomereefer has not been on here in about a year. Not sure how this was resolved?​

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is it still safe to use? I also have this EXACT same problem. I rinsed it, smelled like seafood, and it left a film when I put it in.

It might release some oils that it has absorbed,,but I would not characterize it as unsafe unless it has been exposed to pesticides.