how do you run your carbon?

Title says it all, how are you guys running your carbon. My water is nice and clear, but i only place carbon in a mesh bag in my sump.


Also how often do you rinse, and how often do you completely change the carbon in your system?

 

I have carbon in a reactor. I never just rinse it; that doesn't do anything for its ability to absorb. I replace it every 2 weeks.

 

i run 2 cups in each filter sock and replace every 2 to 3 weeks.

 

1/4 cup in a 38g tank, replaced every 3 weeks. I put it in a mesh bag (actually called "the bag") in my Whisper 40 power-filter without the poly-filter. Once a week I take the mesh bag out and rinse it real good so it doesn't clog up, then place it back in the Whisper Power-filter (clipped to the plastic grid that comes with the power-filter).

 

Coffee mug full in mesh bag in cannister filter for me also
I run Purigen and GFO in there also

Carbon gets changed monthly or sooner if the tank doesnt look as clear as I want it

Steve

 

I run GAC in a Two Little Fishies 150 reactor and GFO in another one hanging off of the side of my sump chamber that holds my protein skimmer and overflow from the tank.

Change the carbon every 2-3 weeks.

 

I just recently started to use it in a reactor. I was using a fluidized bed before or just a meshed pouch. FYI; you should not rinse and re-use. After carbon is exhausted you must replace or it will leech back to the tank (sure clue is a fishy smell). If you like saving money and the hassle, you could use the proper amount of Purigen Pouches which can be recharged and used I think up to 5 times.

 

I think a lot of people rinse because the bag gets so dirty. I'll rinse a bag several times before changing the contents.

 

Just yesterday while doing my tank maintenance,i noticed my on nanocube when i raised the lid,it had that fishy smell,tested water(looks good except 10ppm nitrates).That put me at 22 days since i last replaced my carbon,so i threw a fresh bag in my media basket and today the tank smells fine,and water is crystal clear.