Run half the carbon all the time

[phishy]

I have an Emperor 400 with two bi-wheels. There are two spots for carbon and I was thinking about putting carbon in just one of them.
From what I have read, carbon does not really hurt and could help (although my water is pretty clear). Is there something I am missing? Can running 1 carbon filter 24/7 hurt anything? Will one do much or do I need to run two?
Your thoughts?

 

[angelofdeath132]

i run the carbon in my Emperor 400 24/7 have for almost 2 yrs. just don't forget to change your carbon pads every 2 weeks to monthly

 

[phishy]

Are there any pros or cons to just running one pad? I figured it would save me a little $.

 

[aarone]

carbon absorbs biological contaminants. When the adsorbtion area is used up...the carbon is useless. This takes about a day. So except for blocking solid matter you really arent accomplishing anything.
aaron

 

[phishy]

Really? How come the manufacturers don't say this (they say to change every month or so). You would think it is in their best interest (sell more filters) if they said that.
I find it really hard to believe that it is "useless" after one day.

 

[aarone]

ok. It is basic chemistry.
They use it in the pad because it also acts as a solid waste trap. It might not be taking in any more chems...because it should have done its job and got rid of them all...right? It just sits there. I run it for about a day every month. It keeps the water crystal clear. You can run it as long as you like. It wont hurt anything....although it does seem likely that it could leech back into the water (but i have never heard of any occurences of this)
aaron

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by Phishy
...
I find it really hard to believe that it is "useless" after one day.
I stopped running carbon filters on both salt and fresh tank years ago. Basically i found them unnecessary. I still run the filter pads on my 55g salt. Just with no carbon.

 

[interj]

I found this on another web site.
Like most other absorbing compounds, carbon can only absorb as much as it can hold. Once it has taken in as much as it can, it becomes exhausted, which means it is unable to absorb anything more. For this reason it needs to be changed and replaced, or rejuvinated for reuse. Not all aquariums run the same, so as far as determining when to change the carbon, this is something you will have to figure out on your own. By sight you definately know it's time when the aquarium water begins to get a yellow tinge to it, but there are ways to test it as well (see links below). The bottom line is that it's best to use smaller amounts changed more often. The FINS Reefkeepers Granular Activated Carbon FAQ provides a WARNING to take into consideration; not changing all the carbon too quickly if your water is significantly yellow, as this can expose corals to too much UV light abruptly which can lead to coral bleaching, and possible death.

 

[aarone]

good read interj

 

[ty_05_f]

I keep the pad that came with the filter in all the time things are growing on it including pods and I use the second chamber to switch out the carbon.