when should i change my carbon filter

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when should i change my carbon filter? i have a 58 gallon with a emperor 280 and 400 i have 3 carbon cartidges and to containers full of carbon. any ideas when to change them people have told me once a month but i think thats a little short.

 

[bosco0633]

it was my understanding that saltwater should not use carbon. I could be wrong, but i thought it took out all trace elements and nutrients vital to a reef

 

[full of questions]

I don't know if there is any thing in stone,
but i have alway's changed my once a month.

 

[lubbockfishdude]

I change mine about every month and a half on my 7 gallon. I have not heard about carbon filters taking out trace elements. Hmmmm. If they do, what would be some solutions?

 

[salty james]

I rinse mine every month, and replace as needed. Usually every 2-3 depending on buildup on the filters.

 

[volitan]

I usually change mine when it starts to clog. Usually about every two months.

 

[bammbamm74]

Yeah, does carbon take out trace elements? i took mine out because I read that on the Kent Marine package that carbon takes out trace elements. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[kris]

Once a month is in fact standard. A good gauge though is when the water flow starts to decrease. I don't believe these were intended to be rinsed and reused. Satwater tanks can be run with or without carbon. Generally I think the reefers stay away from it. FO people tend to use it for a polishing or mechanical type effect, as well as the removal of things such as copper. But I'm sure it does remove some of the trace elements along with the undesirable stuff it was designed to remove.