Carbón active skimming water black?

cliffhanger · 05/06/2015, 09:58 PM

Hello why, when I put the activate carbon my skimmer begins to remove the black water, I wash it well before putting it, is this normal? I put in canister sump down flow seachem matrix carbon
Sorry my English

droog · 05/07/2015, 03:00 AM

You need to wash the carbon well before use... run water over the new carbon until it runs clear. You can use old water from tank to do this when you do a water change or RODI. Or tap water if you like.

If you still get black water, the flow may be too much, causing the carbon to grind into dust. If thats the problem, but carbon in a mesh bag in the sump or in a filter stock instead of the cannister.

Or run the carbon in a reactor powered by a small pump. And install the sponges per the instructions that come with the reactor. Reactor is the most effective way of running carbon IMHO

-droog

cliffhanger · 05/07/2015, 07:04 AM

Hi, I put carbon in a mesh bag but flow in canister is high , flow passive works same way? Thanks

Breadman03 · 05/07/2015, 07:10 AM

If carbon tumbles, it will make dust. Passive flow will still work and help prevent dust.

cliffhanger · 05/07/2015, 07:13 AM

Ok, how long leave it?

jrp1588 · 05/07/2015, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffhanger

Ok, how long leave it?

Usually after a couple weeks it'll lose its effectiveness. It varies from tank to tank though.

Also, don't worry about your English. Your written English and punctuation are better than the average American teenager.

cliffhanger · 05/07/2015, 07:31 AM

Ok, thanks

ReefsandGeeks · 05/07/2015, 11:44 AM

If you're only skimming black water right after adding carbon, but it goes back to normal after a while, then that means you're not grinding the carbon, which is good. Sounds like you just need to rince the carbon before adding. Rinse untill the water runs clear, then you're ready to add. Good luck

coralsnaked · 05/07/2015, 01:58 PM

what is the carbon source? pelletized or granular. named brand or bulk buy from Ebay.

cliffhanger · 05/07/2015, 02:01 PM

Hi, seachem matrix carbon

tzylak · 05/07/2015, 03:31 PM

5 bags of 1 lb GAC
CNZ Economy Activated Pond Carbon, $22.99 now on sale for 19.99.
I buy 2 boxes at a time to get free shipping. . .
http://www.amazon.com/CNZ-Economy-Ac.../dp/B00B77WCYC

05/06/2015, 09:58 PM	#1
cliffhanger Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: colombia Posts: 168	Carbón active skimming water black? Hello why, when I put the activate carbon my skimmer begins to remove the black water, I wash it well before putting it, is this normal? I put in canister sump down flow seachem matrix carbon Sorry my English

05/07/2015, 01:58 PM	#9
coralsnaked Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Austin / Port Aransas, TX Posts: 1,479	what is the carbon source? pelletized or granular. named brand or bulk buy from Ebay. __________________ Merry Skerry Current Tank Info: 1 G Nano jellyfish to 1200 G Bull Nose FOWLR featuring large Holacanthus and Pomacanthus

05/07/2015, 03:00 AM	#2
droog Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 736	You need to wash the carbon well before use... run water over the new carbon until it runs clear. You can use old water from tank to do this when you do a water change or RODI. Or tap water if you like. If you still get black water, the flow may be too much, causing the carbon to grind into dust. If thats the problem, but carbon in a mesh bag in the sump or in a filter stock instead of the cannister. Or run the carbon in a reactor powered by a small pump. And install the sponges per the instructions that come with the reactor. Reactor is the most effective way of running carbon IMHO -droog

05/07/2015, 07:04 AM	#3
cliffhanger Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: colombia Posts: 168	Hi, I put carbon in a mesh bag but flow in canister is high , flow passive works same way? Thanks

05/07/2015, 07:10 AM	#4
Breadman03 New Old School Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Luzerne County, PA Posts: 3,293	If carbon tumbles, it will make dust. Passive flow will still work and help prevent dust.

05/07/2015, 07:13 AM	#5
cliffhanger Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: colombia Posts: 168	Ok, how long leave it?

05/07/2015, 07:31 AM	#7
cliffhanger Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: colombia Posts: 168	Ok, thanks

05/07/2015, 11:44 AM	#8
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	If you're only skimming black water right after adding carbon, but it goes back to normal after a while, then that means you're not grinding the carbon, which is good. Sounds like you just need to rince the carbon before adding. Rinse untill the water runs clear, then you're ready to add. Good luck

05/07/2015, 02:01 PM	#10
cliffhanger Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: colombia Posts: 168	Hi, seachem matrix carbon

05/07/2015, 03:31 PM	#11
tzylak Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 457	5 bags of 1 lb GAC CNZ Economy Activated Pond Carbon, $22.99 now on sale for 19.99. I buy 2 boxes at a time to get free shipping. . . http://www.amazon.com/CNZ-Economy-Ac.../dp/B00B77WCYC