packing canister filter with carbon

well i have a canister filter left over from my other tank and i was wondering if anyone recommend me to remove all the filter pad inside and pack it with carbon instead of using a reactor. or should i just get a new reactor? thanks

forgot to mention that this would be placed right next to my sump where the water will be drawn in from the sump and out back into the sump.

 

I think it is pretty common for people to use their old canisters for media holders. You can actively run carbon, chemi pure, phosphate removers, etc. I have a small cascade canister I use for carbon, connected to my sump too.

 

do you put a layer of pre filter or just pure media?

 

IMO it's good to have pre-filter so stuff doesn't clog your carbon. It's much easier to clean a filter sponge than carbon.

 

I just toss a couple of mesh bags with carbon in the chambers, no prefilters. Carbon gets changed out every month and doesn't clog.