Where to place Carbon Question?

I am about to set up my tank, I have a sump that has a drip tray that houses a blue polyester filter on top of my bio ball try. My question is when I start to use carbon after my tank begins to cycle where should I put my bag of carbon at?

 

I but a small bag in drip tray under the filter pad also put a small bag of phosphate remover next to it.

 

In my sump, in b/w skimmer and return pump so that water is flowing through it w/o breaking it up.

 

So it is ok to totally submerge the carbon bag?

 

I believe so, as long as there is water movement through the bag...otherwise it won't be doing much good. Also, too great of water flow, or impact, will break up the carbon and release it into the water, which turns into a mess!

 

How often do you change your Carbon?

Also, I should not use it while I am cycling my tank right?

 

how much - varies between people to a degree
I use a coffee mug on my 5ft tank and change it every 4 weeks or sooner if my tank starts to look yellowish

No need to use it until tank has cycled IMO

Steve

 

same as Steve...about a coffee mug, replaced every month

 

When you say coffee mug, you mean a coffee mug worth of carbon right?

 

yes, jaymgm

its not an exact science with carbon to be honest
mine is a 5ft tank and I use about 1 mug of carbon for 4 weeks then throw away and change it

one of the best tricks to know when to change it is to look sideways along your tank at a piece of white paper
if the paper looks white , your carbon is fine
if the paper has a yellow tint to it, its time to change the carbon

Steve