A carbon conundrum

[novahobbies]

Well, perhaps not a conundrum, but a confused customer with a calculated query:
Is a carbon-infused filter pad as effective as a mesh bag of activated carbon? I'm running a canister style filter that has levels for a prefilter pad, polishing filter pads, bioballs, and glass rings. I found a provider who sells a nice thick activated carbon pad that looks like it might be effective. I just don't know if it would be as effective as, say, putting a bag of carbon over the bio media after the prefilter chambers. I worry that it wouldn't be as effective down there.... there's plenty of places that water could just go around a carbon bag and not through it. What do you think? Does anyone here have experience with carbon pads?

 

[aquaknight]

I think in that particular application, that carbon-infused filter pad is probably better.
Though, do I think it's better then say a phosban-reactor running carbon, nope

...

 

[reefkprz]

the carbon pads dont have the mass to be effective for more than a very small amount of adsorption. if your looking for LB for LB effectiveness the bags are far more effective and can adsorb 20X more just because they contain more carbon. the pads are good for maybe minor water polishing. personally I think they are a waste of money because of the comparative price of buying one LB of carbon versus buying one LB of carbon thats built into one of those pads. those carbon impregnated pads are basicly a polyester pad with carbon dust glued to it.

 

[novahobbies]

OK, here's another question then. Would it be effective to put bagged carbon on top of the trickle section? Not sure about this....I was going to run a pillow of phosguard and a pillow of purigen side by side in this area. I could banish the phos/purigen to the submerged section of the canister, however. Hmmm.
And yes, if I had room I would just run a reactor on the back of the tank with carbon in it. No GFO; this is a seahorse tank. I don't have the room...the real estate is taken up by an overflow, an aquaclear/iceprobe, and expansion room for a HOB skimmer.

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by novahobbies
http:///forum/post/3211088
OK, here's another question then. Would it be effective to put bagged carbon on top of the trickle section? .
sure just make sure the bag is loose enough (not packed tight) to will allow flow through the bag and your golden.

 

[mitremark]

what is the best way to rinse the carbon? before filling the filter sock or after?

 

[wfd1008]

after you fill the sock

 

[jimmyr1rider]

Mitre I put mine in a kitchen strainer and run tap water through it until the water runs clear- then I rinse it quick with RO water.... but I also run mine in a phos ban reactor not a bag or sock.