Can certain type of carbon leach phosphate into water?

[Scissorhand]

I've read somewhere about the possibility of this happening.

Personally, I have been using the cheaper carbon that you can buy in bulk, and whenever I change out my carbon, incidentally the following day I'm getting a film of algae in some areas.

I probably should test out the theory a few more times to be sure, but just wanna throw it out there hoping to get some feedbacks.

[dflad]

Many carbons are washed in phosphoric acid to help remove excess organic compounds from the process of making the carbon. This is called activation. So if you dont wash the carbon fully you will leach out phosphate.

You can tell if your carbon is washed with phosphoric acid by watching the carbon as you wash it. Acid washed carbon will sizzle a bit and might make some smoke (that is the neutralization of the H+ from the acid leftover on the carbon.

P

[Scissorhand]

dang thanks...

that is exactly what happened when I added water to the carbon. It sizzles, and I just add it to the tank without rinsing too.

stupid me. I thought rinsing would just get rid of the clouds and that didn't really bother me.