How do you run your carbon?

disc1 · 12/19/2010, 12:46 PM

I'm more wondering about how many different ways this can be done, and what makes it work or not. How do you do it in your tank?

Do you have a dedicated system? Do you run it in a canister? Do you run it in a HOB? Do you just put it in a sock and drop it into the sump? Are any of those bad ideas? Do you have another idea?

FRANKENSTIEN · 12/19/2010, 12:49 PM

i currently have a wet dry and put it in a bag and lay it under my filter pad but just purchased a three little fishes phosban reactor to run my carbon through

89Foxbody · 12/19/2010, 12:54 PM

I run mine in my Penguin. I'm upgrading to an Emperor soon though.

Palting · 12/19/2010, 01:00 PM

All my drainage goes to a drip tray over a big bag of activated carbon, and I run that 24/7, replace every month or so. On my older 110 gal tank, I had a Fluval 405 cannister filter, with 4 smaller carbon trays. Lots of options out there.

redfishblewfish · 12/19/2010, 01:00 PM

BRS dual reactor with an MJ1200 pump feeding it. It's great!

32mm32 · 12/19/2010, 01:22 PM

I run mine in a reactor very low flow.

cloak · 12/19/2010, 01:31 PM

Passively, if at all. If I do decide to use carbon, I'll just throw a bag of it in the sump somewhere. Usually though, water changes alone seem to do the job quite well. It just depends on the size of the tank & your stocking levels. Some people really need it, some people don't.

Mr. Fish · 12/19/2010, 01:34 PM

I run it in a reactor along with GFO.

bluetang66 · 12/19/2010, 01:38 PM

In a fluval canister.

Dex · 12/19/2010, 01:59 PM

Carbon in a mesh bag, placed in the sump after the skimmer. Changed every 3 weeks or so..

PbReefer · 12/19/2010, 04:24 PM

i use a ViaAqua reactor, its ok but i will be upgrading to a BRS reactor

joeychitwood · 12/19/2010, 04:29 PM

I run Kent Reef carbon in a Magnum HOB canister 24/7 on my 54 corner. I try to change the carbon every 2-3 weeks.

iamwrasseman · 12/19/2010, 07:32 PM

its a reactor for me ,low flow and a second unit with GFO .

sasharotty · 12/19/2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamwrasseman

its a reactor for me ,low flow and a second unit with GFO .

This^ with BRS reactors.

MilkWeed18 · 12/19/2010, 11:48 PM

BRS Reactor

WienerDog · 12/19/2010, 11:51 PM

drop mine in the output of my fuge...CPR aquafuge HOB

cubsFAN · 12/20/2010, 12:15 AM

tlf reactor and maxi600.

bigdoug · 12/20/2010, 12:20 AM

in the drip tray same as palting, change every 3to4 weeks, run 24/7.

Steve Wright2 · 12/20/2010, 12:24 AM

Cannister filter for me
and every week it gets a rinse to remove detritus build up

another tip would be to smash it up a bit, rinse and then add back to set up this will allow some of the internal surfaces to be exposes to the water, that way your carbon is more effective for a bit longer

Steve

Michael · 12/20/2010, 06:08 AM

I either put it in a reactor or in a sock in the sump with a powerhead pointing at it.

Now if its in my reactor I use on reverse flow, I personally feel it has to be under pressure so the water is forced through it not around it, and this way stops it tumbling about crumbling to dust, but also has the water making it work by touching all parts of the granules, and if in the sump then the powerhead makes the water/carbon contact time work, although the water will not be in contact long, if its left in the sump for a good 2 weeks the water will get polished, IMO a slow flow against carbon achieves nothing, except allow the water to move around it, cause detritus on the sock and generally be a lot less effective, JMO.

Humu Humu · 12/20/2010, 11:01 AM

Marineland HOB 24/7

AfricaOffroad · 12/20/2010, 11:41 AM

Aqua Medic zipper bag, throw it in the sump in the return pump chamber.
Change every month, around 750g for a 300G system

12/19/2010, 12:46 PM	#1
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	How do you run your carbon? I'm more wondering about how many different ways this can be done, and what makes it work or not. How do you do it in your tank? Do you have a dedicated system? Do you run it in a canister? Do you run it in a HOB? Do you just put it in a sock and drop it into the sump? Are any of those bad ideas? Do you have another idea?

12/19/2010, 12:49 PM	#2
FRANKENSTIEN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 107	i currently have a wet dry and put it in a bag and lay it under my filter pad but just purchased a three little fishes phosban reactor to run my carbon through __________________ 75 gallon glass CPR overflow wet/dry filter with marineland skimmer in sump 2 coarlvue powerheads 1 sea swirl 1/2 with maxit jet 3000 2 48inch t5 tek retro 4 compact coarlife retro Current Tank Info: 75 GALLON

12/19/2010, 12:54 PM	#3
89Foxbody Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 1,532	I run mine in my Penguin. I'm upgrading to an Emperor soon though. __________________ Red Sea Max 130D Mixed Reef: ReefKeeper2, Rapid-LED retrofit, MiniMaxx Reactor, Tunze 9001 Skimmer, 2x Jebao RW-4, 2x Maxi-Jet 600 returns, 2x Koralia Nano 425

12/19/2010, 01:00 PM	#4
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	All my drainage goes to a drip tray over a big bag of activated carbon, and I run that 24/7, replace every month or so. On my older 110 gal tank, I had a Fluval 405 cannister filter, with 4 smaller carbon trays. Lots of options out there. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

12/19/2010, 01:31 PM	#7
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Passively, if at all. If I do decide to use carbon, I'll just throw a bag of it in the sump somewhere. Usually though, water changes alone seem to do the job quite well. It just depends on the size of the tank & your stocking levels. Some people really need it, some people don't. Last edited by cloak; 12/19/2010 at 02:07 PM.

12/19/2010, 01:00 PM	#5
redfishblewfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 716	BRS dual reactor with an MJ1200 pump feeding it. It's great!

12/19/2010, 01:22 PM	#6
32mm32 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 127	I run mine in a reactor very low flow.

12/19/2010, 01:34 PM	#8
Mr. Fish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 828	I run it in a reactor along with GFO.

12/19/2010, 01:38 PM	#9
bluetang66 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ga. Posts: 160	In a fluval canister.

12/19/2010, 01:59 PM	#10
Dex Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: CA Posts: 82	Carbon in a mesh bag, placed in the sump after the skimmer. Changed every 3 weeks or so..

12/19/2010, 04:24 PM	#11
PbReefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Roxboro,NC Posts: 65	i use a ViaAqua reactor, its ok but i will be upgrading to a BRS reactor __________________ if there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water Current Tank Info: 120 reef , sps dominant, 28 cube , 20 frag

12/19/2010, 04:29 PM	#12
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	I run Kent Reef carbon in a Magnum HOB canister 24/7 on my 54 corner. I try to change the carbon every 2-3 weeks.

12/19/2010, 07:32 PM	#13
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	its a reactor for me ,low flow and a second unit with GFO . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

12/19/2010, 11:48 PM	#15
MilkWeed18 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 135	BRS Reactor

12/19/2010, 11:51 PM	#16
WienerDog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 980	drop mine in the output of my fuge...CPR aquafuge HOB __________________ "Winners do what they have to and losers do what they want" Phill 4:13 Current Tank Info: 5.5g Spec V Pico Reef

12/20/2010, 12:15 AM	#17
cubsFAN Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Lake Tahoe Posts: 1,550	tlf reactor and maxi600.

12/20/2010, 12:20 AM	#18
bigdoug Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 337	in the drip tray same as palting, change every 3to4 weeks, run 24/7. __________________ 125g, T5HO 12x39 (8 blue, 4 10k), Eshops 30g sump w/ dual Rio 2500 returns, Bubble Mangus NAC-7 skimmer.

12/20/2010, 12:24 AM	#19
Steve Wright2 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shenzhen PRC Posts: 454	Cannister filter for me and every week it gets a rinse to remove detritus build up another tip would be to smash it up a bit, rinse and then add back to set up this will allow some of the internal surfaces to be exposes to the water, that way your carbon is more effective for a bit longer Steve __________________ Turbo snails are you kidding me, even I can catch and remove them from my reef tank

12/20/2010, 06:08 AM	#20
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	I either put it in a reactor or in a sock in the sump with a powerhead pointing at it. Now if its in my reactor I use on reverse flow, I personally feel it has to be under pressure so the water is forced through it not around it, and this way stops it tumbling about crumbling to dust, but also has the water making it work by touching all parts of the granules, and if in the sump then the powerhead makes the water/carbon contact time work, although the water will not be in contact long, if its left in the sump for a good 2 weeks the water will get polished, IMO a slow flow against carbon achieves nothing, except allow the water to move around it, cause detritus on the sock and generally be a lot less effective, JMO. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/20/2010, 11:01 AM	#21
Humu Humu lost in the pelagic zone Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 207	Marineland HOB 24/7

12/20/2010, 11:41 AM	#22
AfricaOffroad Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Durban, South Africa Posts: 335	Aqua Medic zipper bag, throw it in the sump in the return pump chamber. Change every month, around 750g for a 300G system

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