Many legends and inaccurate information have accumulated over the years about so-called "liquid carbon." In this text, we will try to explain what the GEN C and GEN nano C fertilizers are, how they work, and in what types of tanks they are best suited. How does "liquid carbon" turn into CO2?
What does the so-called “Liquid Carbon” consist of?
The main component of Gen C is glutaraldehyde. It is an organic compound of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Under biotic, aerobic conditions, meaning where bacterial flora (enzymes), water, and oxygen are present, this substance is oxidized stepwise to carbon dioxide[1]. Only this final product of the metabolic cycle is available to plants. The rate of this conversion depends on many factors, including pH, temperature, and oxygen concentration in the water. Decomposition to CO2usually takes several to several hours, so the effects of fertilization will only be visible with regular, multi-day applications. Liquid carbon fertilization is ideal for LT tanks with moderate lighting and a small fish population.
The influence of pH on the performance of "liquid carbon".
It's often said that carbon-based products raise the pH of aquarium water. This is not true because the amount added to the aquarium is small and the effect on pH is negligible. Furthermore, glutaral is acidic in aqueous solution[2]. When can the pH of such a fertilizer be higher than 7? When is the solution improperly prepared, for example, by using untreated tap water with a pH higher than 7 or by making it from a disinfectant solution. Disinfection solutions always have a higher pH to be more toxic to pathogens. It's also worth mentioning that the effectiveness of alkaline solutions decreases rapidly during storage due to accelerated aldehyde degradation in an alkaline environment. At pH above 9, glutaraldehyde undergoes polycondensation[3] and loses its usefulness for aquarium use. Gen C should be used with caution in aquariums with a pH higher than 7 for the reasons described earlier.
What is the maximum dose of Gen C that can be used safely?
We can safely administer approximately 8-10 times the basic dose. However, we must remember that administering multiple doses of the product requires adequate tank aeration. In such situations, biochemical oxygen demand increases significantly, while oxygen concentration in the water drops significantly. Failure to oxygenate the aquarium can result in the death of more delicate fish and shrimp, as well as the death of filter bacteria. Larger doses can be used for 2-3 days, after which the basic dose should be returned. Larger doses should not be administered on the day of the water change or the following day. The interval between larger doses should be 5-7 days[2].
Is Gen C safe for the user?
When used properly, it is safe for use. However, special care should be taken to avoid contact of the solution with eyes. We advise against purchasing or preparing "Liquid Charcoal" from concentrated aldehyde solutions above 10% due to toxicity and the possibility of irreversible eye damage[4].
Bibliography:
- H. W. Leung. Ecotoxicology of glutaraldehyde: review of environmental fate and effects studies, Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2001 May;49(1):26-39.
- Own research.
- H. W. Leung. Aerobic and Anaerobic Metabolism of Glutaraldehyde in a River Water Sediment System, November 2001 Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 41(3):267-73.
- www.echa.europa.eu.