[FIT BMX]

Will organic hardwood charcoal ( like what you use in a BBQ grill) work?
I have used it in my tanks that don't have frogs in them, and have had good luck so far.

 

[FIT BMX]

BBQ charcoal is cheap, so I just break it up with pliers.

 

[FIT BMX]

I use an old hand crank meat grinder on large hardwood charcoal to make it the size I want

That's great! I even have a old meat grinder.