Cleaning Charcoal

[Don Trinko]

Any good methods for cleaning charcoal? I don't normaly use additional charcoal but I have a stain in the water from drift wood that I would like to remove.
The charcoal I bought is the dirtiest UI have ever seen! (yes I bought the cheap stuff) Don T.

 

[Sysiphus]

IMO, there is no effective way to clean "used" charcole, but I think I understand yours is not "used" but just has lots of extra fine charcole powder? Yes, I have had many a pack provided with filters that have that problem and you can just rinse the dust off. You can rinse it in clean water (maybe water change water if you have a gallon or two). For my part I have used my largest fish net and the powder just goes down the drain in an instant. If you are concerned about it absorbing contaminants from your rinse water - it will, but only tiny amounts in the quick rinse and not enough to detract from its effectiveness in your filter where the water will repeatedly run over the charcole.

Good Luck

 

[Don Trinko]

The fish net sounds like a good idea. I put mine in a media bag and made a mess of the bathroom sink. Next time I think I'll go outside with a net and a garden hose. Thanks; Don T.