I was hoping to start running carbon soon, i hear it helps clear up the water and remove some of the excess nutrients in the water column. But there are some choices running carbon, and i'm unsure as to what to do.

The major options i have are 1) Carbon Filter Pad( it's the black filter pad that's got carbon in it), or 2) running bulk carbon in a filter bag.

I'm not sure i like the idea of the filter pad, seems like it would be a detritus trap and need to be changed often enough to make it a pain and not very cheap in the long run.

My major concern with bulk carbon in filter bags is how much to put in a bag? I've looked around on line and read the labels, and none of them give a 'dosing' amount. Is there a rule of thumb you use? 1 cup per X gallons or what ever?

Maybe i'm off base, and don't really need it. Or just was looking in the wrong place. Thanks for any help in advance!

I run carbon bulk in a phosban reactor, and in a canister filter before that. I just never had much faith that the water flow through a mesh bag was that good. I've always heard a cup per every 50 gallons. I just fill my phosban reactor about 3/4 of the way.

I run it in a mesh bag. I have an old wet/dry that I am using for a sump/fuge and put the bag on the plate under where the water pours in. Not as good as running it in a reactor but at least I feel like the water is being forced through it.

My tank is predominantly Acropora, Monitpora, Stylophora and other "SPS" corals so I dont have any serious chemical warefare going on. Nonetheless, I use carbon on a permamenent basis and change it every couple of weeks. Helps to reduce toxins and keeps the water nice and clear.

I prefer to use it passively in my sump (in a mesh bag).

So a cup per 50 gallons is your recommendation.

How much of it would you change out and how often? Would you swap out half the amount every three weeks? The whole thing every three weeks?

Thanks for your guy's help, i always appreciate this community!

I change out all of mine every other week. it's probably exhausted before then, but I'm lazy and cheap ;)

I'd say the best bet is to use half that amount and swap out completely twice as often.

I use about a half cup for 100G and change out every couple of weeks or so.

I prefer to use it passively in my sump (in a mesh bag).

Hi,

I was wondering how you use Carbon passively in your sump. I am planning to set up a sump in my new 60g and I want to continue using AC. As or right now, I have it running through a HOB filter, but when I move everything to a sump, I will no longer be able to use the HOB beacuse of the low water level in the sump.

If you could describe what you mean by passive, that would be great.

Thanks

John

Passive just means that the water flows through it (like in a mesh bag) as opposed to being forced through it like in a reactor or canister filter.

Using something passively means that you just put it in the sump and let it sit there. This is not as efficient as forcing water through it but it does allow for some contact with the water and gives you some chemical filtration.

activate carbon is made in various ways with various chemicals in order to reach a blend of absorbive material thats safe for use. theres no real general rule per say, all manufactures have different guides for different grades, however no one product will act in the same manor if its from a competitor with a different manufacturing process. It all comes down to contact, product purity & water parameters. logicly we all have different flow rates, & there are many ways to use AC, so manufactures provide guides based on R&D findings & potential product shortening so you buy more..lol
Crap stuff can last a week, quality can last a few months. Only you & the labs can determin that! If your water quality visually:eek: drops your load could have increased, your carbon needs replaciing or theres a reaction with your additives & your water parameters.
Choices of passive or proactive are yours alone bud. Although its a no brainer to realise AC absorbive potential is governed by the volume it comes in contact with, so having water pass through the particle matrix instead of majority around it is far better. i suggest over sizing the amounts used, then after your own pre determined time, ether leave it out of the system for awhile or if you prefer replace it. Keep in mind its based on the animals you keep as well. AC can indeed trap the elements for forked over the counter to add to your tank to begin with.:unsure: kinda like robbing peter to pay paul if you will!

A great way to actively pass water through carbon is to attach panty hose(no I am not a cross dresser - :unsure:) to the end of your skimmer return and hang it. The panty hose is pliable so the carbon sits in the middle where you want it and the water flows right over it. This also eliminates bubbles from the skimmer return as well.

Panty hose are cheap and can be replaced easily.

Great idea!

Thanks for all the help guys, so many opinions!