Where do you put your GAC?

[snakeblitz33]

So, in the interest of stirring up some forum discussions, I am going to be posting a series of threads. This is one of them.
Where do you put your granular activated carbon? How much carbon do you know to use? What amount is too little? What amount is too much? Is carbon really linked to HLLE?
Does carbon need a high flow or a low flow to be effective? Does all the water in the tank have to pass through the carbon to be effective?
What happens if I get carbon dust into my tank??
Discuss...

 

[yannifish]

I'd be curious to see how many people use carbon and when. I've never used it other than in my QT.

 

[bubblegurl]

I've always run carbon in my tanks. My 55 is on a canister filter with a carbon bag. Right now I'm using brs brand. I rinse the bag until it runs clear, in the canister it goes, change every month. I also run a dual reactor on my 180, carbon and gfo. Does it make a difference?? I think so, the 180 ran without for the first couple of months, added the reactor, water cleared and algae disappeared.

 

[siptang]

I use carbon 24 hours a day in a canister. My tangs had hlle but I found out that I had stray voltage running in my tank. (very faint until I put my hands in the sump ZAP!).
Clarity of water, coloration and smell is very much noticeable from it.
Now I detect little bit of p04 from carbon time to time but then again what doesn't contain p04? My gfo is good for it.
For me, I have alot of corals and sometimes they tend to sting each other when color sticks fall from their glued spots and start chemical warfare (corals next to them look like crap when this happens) and carbon helps that out tremendously.
For me, benefits of carbon is really too much for me to not use it.

 

[novahobbies]

I use GAC in a bag under my filter floss. Since it isn't recommended to "tumble" like GFO or other media, I don't see much need to place it in a reactor. I just make sure the bag is spread evenly across the surface area of the trick filter portion and let it go.
For something like Chemipure, I use one small bag for the 37g seahorse tank. For my bigger tank I use "bag-yer-own" carbon (currently trying the Dr Foster Pelleted carbon) placed in a fine mesh bag. I for this tank I'm trying the recommended 1 Tbsp/10g rule. For the horse tank I usually replace the carbon every 3 to 4 months, no more is really necessary IMO. I do give it a good rinsing every couple months just to break loose any buildup.

 

[siptang]

Nova - how is your experience with chemipure? Keith has made recommendations for it and I was planning to get it as soon as I get back from my vacation.

 

[novahobbies]

I use plain Chemipure in the horse tank, and I have no complaints. I rinse it before using it, then give it a good rinse every couple months during water changes. It's pricey as carbon goes, so I wait and get it on sale at my LFS when they do periodic spring cleanings.

 

[siptang]

I see, I will try it later when I see it in clearance like you said.

 

[lol]

I run my GAC in a BRS reactor. Seems to do a good job.