Did you know activated carbon is used in gas masks? Same technology. Same spooky-awesome science.
It also gets used in fish tanks to clear up murky water. And in whiskey distilling to make it smoother. Your fish and your booze love carbon.
There’s a secret trick: you can reactivate carbon in a hot oven (400°F) for a few hours. But don’t try it with your filter. It’s messy and the neighbors will smell burnt coconut.