Activated carbon question
- Thread starter barracuda
- Start date
marine fanatic
Member
I have 2 emperor 400 bio-wheel filters with activated carbon. I change it about every 1 1/2 months with fresh carbon and it really helps with any spikes in ammonia that may occur.
broomer5
Active Member
dima_mc
You'll get mixed advice on this question. Many reefers run activated carbon, or a polyfilter 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Others will use carbon for short period of time, say a day or so a month then remove it from the system.
Others don't use it at all.
We know activated carbon is a form of chemical filtration - and is primarily used to reduce organic waste, specifically humic acid that accumulates. This stuff causes the tank water to appear yellowish over time.
I occasionally run granulated active carbon to "polish" the water and remove stuff I can not test for. I assume it is working. One of many assumptions we sometimes have to make.
I have no info on DIY carbon filters.
Most just add a carbon filter cartridge to a power filter, add it to a canister filter, or pour some in a mesh bag and toss it in an area of high water flow in their sump.
You'll get mixed advice on this question. Many reefers run activated carbon, or a polyfilter 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Others will use carbon for short period of time, say a day or so a month then remove it from the system.
Others don't use it at all.
We know activated carbon is a form of chemical filtration - and is primarily used to reduce organic waste, specifically humic acid that accumulates. This stuff causes the tank water to appear yellowish over time.
I occasionally run granulated active carbon to "polish" the water and remove stuff I can not test for. I assume it is working. One of many assumptions we sometimes have to make.
I have no info on DIY carbon filters.
Most just add a carbon filter cartridge to a power filter, add it to a canister filter, or pour some in a mesh bag and toss it in an area of high water flow in their sump.
ocellaris_keeper
Active Member
I used my carbon filter packs in a hang on fitler. This is the only reason why I bought the filter, to clean the water for one week every month. If you have LR/LS you really don't need alot of filtration for your system
josh
Active Member
H
You don't use Ro/DI? Are you using just straight tap water, and have you tested it. If you can at all use RO water do.. it will make you reef keeping a lot less hectic. As for the carbon, I run it a few days a month being I don't use a skimmer so it removes some of the waste for me. Most folks just worry about the carbon getting "full" and leaching back the toxins all at one time which would not be a good thing to say the least. I have also heard of people just using the passive carbon technique by just dropping a bag into the sump without forcing water through it. That seems to work well. As for the DIY I am not sure what you mean, making the bag for it or making a canister filter to put it in. Maybe some more info would help.
-Josh-
You don't use Ro/DI? Are you using just straight tap water, and have you tested it. If you can at all use RO water do.. it will make you reef keeping a lot less hectic. As for the carbon, I run it a few days a month being I don't use a skimmer so it removes some of the waste for me. Most folks just worry about the carbon getting "full" and leaching back the toxins all at one time which would not be a good thing to say the least. I have also heard of people just using the passive carbon technique by just dropping a bag into the sump without forcing water through it. That seems to work well. As for the DIY I am not sure what you mean, making the bag for it or making a canister filter to put it in. Maybe some more info would help.
-Josh-
barracuda
Active Member
Josh, i don't use RO/DI 'cause it's kind of expensive thing here in Israel. I realy should have one and i'll buy it later. As for Activated carbon, if it works when i put the bags in the return pump chamber without forceing the water go through the bags, it looks good to me. Another question. If i would use activated carbon bags to clean the water for replacement, is it gonna work? (until i'll buy the RO unit).
