Question for the science people.

[petjunkie]

I have a really small local pet store and they have been telling people to rinse out their carbon filter and reuse for months on end and apparently were told to do this by their distributor. Now, I've always been led to believe carbon absorbs as much as it can and then begin leaching it back out which is why you change it. Is that really the way it works? Just curious, they do try hard but seem very uninformed so I attempt to give them tips here and there but I want to make sure I know what I'm taking about first.

 

[bigarn]

on the average carbon is effective for about 48 HRS in saltwater.

 

[phixer]

You are correct, re-cycling carbon is like recycling paper plates, it can be done but why?

 

[aztec reef]

I have a really small local pet store and they have been telling people to rinse out their carbon filter and reuse for months on end and apparently were told to do this by their distributor.
imo, it's because they emphasis this on fresh water aquariums and they think that it will do same on saltwater.

 

[petjunkie]

Well there is no one doing saltwater here but me and I'm setting up one for them but I want to know if this should be done in freshwater even, and also why the effectiveness of 48 hours in saltwater? Never heard that before.

 

[phixer]

It's a general rule of thumb dependant on your bioload. Could be more, could be less.

 

[aztec reef]

well i think is because it traps detrius(but if you think about it will do the same in fresh water) wont it?
i wonder if the carbon has a different lifespan in fresh water vs. saltwater?

 

[aztec reef]

or different impact on water quality?