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Activated Carbon Block (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Topics About Activated Carbon Blocks

Raw Materials (Coconut Carbon vs. Standard Carbon)

100% coconut-based activated carbon is more porous than standard carbon, meaning it offers:

  • Higher absorption efficiency

  • Better filtration performance

  • Cleaner, fresher-tasting water

However, 100% coconut carbon is difficult to verify. For this reason, we only source it from ISO-certified factories, where traceability and quality control are properly managed.

We also continue to supply our standard carbon block cartridges, which are made from materials such as wood, charcoal, or bamboo. These still offer excellent value and are widely used across many industries, particularly as pre-filters.

Taste

A true 100% coconut carbon block produces water with a clean, fresh taste and no aftertaste.
Aftertaste is most commonly caused by:

  • Poor incoming water quality

  • Low-grade carbon, which is often incorrectly sold as “100% coconut carbon”

Because carbon sources are hard to verify, many factories purchase pre-made carbon blocks, repackage them, and sell them under their own branding. In some cases, even the factories themselves may be misled by their upstream suppliers.

Quality of a Carbon Block

Carbon block quality is measured by two key performance indicators:

  1. Absorption Level

  2. Filtration Capacity

Proper laboratory performance testing shows how these two factors correlate. While real-life performance varies depending on water quality, **lab results remain a reliable indicator of product quality—**provided the report is genuine and issued by a recognized laboratory.

Please also refer to the Stoma Density Test section below for further quality evaluation.

NSF Certification

For us, NSF certification is essential, because we operate in the water purification industry where safety is critical.

It is important to understand that:

  • The entire filtration unit must be NSF certified—not just individual parts or raw materials

  • Any product claiming NSF approval must be supported by an official NSF certificate and test report

  • Certification can be issued to either the factory or the brand owner—both are valid

Why this matters:
A carbon block is made from many components processed with chemicals, including:

  • Powdered activated carbon

  • Polyethylene binder

  • Plastic end caps

  • Silicone rubber seals

  • Mesh layers

NSF certification ensures that all materials are tested for safety and are suitable for drinking water applications.

Stoma Density Test

We have uploaded a YouTube video showing:

  • A stoma density test conducted on a 10” x 4.5” carbon block to demonstrate consistent pore density

  • A methylene blue test, showing how effectively the carbon removes colour from water

Please note that some sellers only demonstrate 1–2 litres of methylene blue filtration, which can appear fully clear—but this does not represent long-term performance or true filtration capacity.

Chlorine and Chloramine (Monochloramine)

Chloramine is a newer disinfectant now used in addition to chlorine, and it remains in water for much longer.

Not all Australian states currently use chloramine, but it is now confirmed as being used in:

  • Brisbane

  • Sydney

  • Melbourne

A standard carbon block is not sufficient for full chloramine removal. To remove chloramine effectively, you must use catalytic carbon.

Why Catalytic Carbon?

  • It has the highest chemical absorption capabilities

  • Removes both chlorine and chloramine

  • Outperforms all other carbon types in chlorine removal

We supply catalytic carbon block cartridges, available through our website and eBay store.

Pre-Washed Carbon

Our carbon filters are acid pre-washed (completely safe) to remove water-soluble ash, which:

  • Lowers total ash content

  • Improves suitability for drinking water treatment

However, pre-washing does not replace initial flushing.

We strongly recommend:

  • Soaking the cartridge

  • Then flushing before use

Soaking ensures optimal performance and minimizes waste water during startup.

Binder (Polyethylene)

There is no binder or “glue” capable of increasing absorption by 10×, despite some marketing claims.

The real performance of a carbon block depends on:

  • The quality of the raw carbon

  • And most importantly, how the carbon block is crafted during manufacturing

Manufacturing technique has the single greatest impact on filtration performance, not the binder alone.