1 Micron Carbon Block Vs. Loose Bulk Carbon

member 99594 · Mar 24, 2020

Hey All,

I have a quick question in regards to carbon. Currently I use bulk carbon on my system every couple of months.

I have a RO container that I have plumbed into the system, Can I just buy a 1 micron carbon block instead of spending time cleaning the carbon and trying to get it in the canister without getting it all over the place?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 24, 2020

You mean for tap water or tank water?

in the tank, the carbon block will rapidly clog and flow will be slow to start and then decline fast

member 99594 · Mar 24, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
You mean for tap water or tank water?

in the tank, the carbon block will rapidly clog and flow will be slow to start and then decline fast

Ah yes, I was thinking of putting it in for the tank water. Just would be easier to replace a $5 canister when needed if I could.

Is there higher micron ones that you can use? or do you think I could just put the carbon in a bag and drop it in my canister?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 24, 2020

I don’t think any carbon blocks will work in reef tank water.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 24, 2020

Bag in cannister can work.

member 99594 · Mar 25, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Bag in cannister can work.

I just need to make it easier to change out. As you see in the picture I hooked up two RO containers that really help but the insert is a PITA

homer1475 · Mar 25, 2020

Not sure I'm seeing the issue here?

Unscrew canister, dump out inner canister, refill canister, run under tap for a few seconds to get the fines out, place back in outer canister, screw back in.

One thing that might make things easier, plumb the canister backwards! So water pushes down through the carbon, as opposed to up through as most reactors work. Reason being is you can go full flow through the canister, which just pushes the carbon into itself as opposed to up through the canister where slight tumbling can grind the carbon into dust.

lapin · Mar 25, 2020

I take mesh filter socks. Cut the ring off and use them. Makes change out easy. Fill the bag or bags, rubberband the end. Rinse and place in reactor. May not be the most efficient use of carbon or gfo but makes for a lot easier change out.

Gareth elliott · Mar 25, 2020

I have 2 of inserts inside, when i change out i fill the back up after Cleaning. So the process is just shuttining a valve, replacing the cartridge. I Put the back up in a zip lock, no idea if this is needed but whats a freezer bag cost lol.

member 99594 · Mar 25, 2020

homer1475 said:
Not sure I'm seeing the issue here?

Unscrew canister, dump out inner canister, refill canister, run under tap for a few seconds to get the fines out, place back in outer canister, screw back in.

One thing that might make things easier, plumb the canister backwards! So water pushes down through the carbon, as opposed to up through as most reactors work. Reason being is you can go full flow through the canister, which just pushes the carbon into itself as opposed to up through the canister where slight tumbling can grind the carbon into dust.

it is plumbed backwards. The main issue is the inner canister is a pain to clean out and clean the carbon in. So I think the best option here is to clean the carbon in a strainer first then pour into the cartridge.

Malifry97 · Mar 25, 2020

lapin said:
I take mesh filter socks. Cut the ring off and use them. Makes change out easy. Fill the bag or bags, rubberband the end. Rinse and place in reactor. May not be the most efficient use of carbon or gfo but makes for a lot easier change out.

THIS^

homer1475 · Mar 26, 2020

Calli said:
it is plumbed backwards. The main issue is the inner canister is a pain to clean out and clean the carbon in. So I think the best option here is to clean the carbon in a strainer first then pour into the cartridge.

Huh?

You don't have to clean it, just rinse the fines out so it doesn't blow black water into the tank. If you "clean" it your, grinding it into itself to create more dust/fines.

Look after the canister is full, and you put your sponges in, just take the inner canister and just run a little tap through it till the water comes out clear. While my tank is not huge and I only run 10TBS of carbon, it takes like a cup of water to rinse out the fines.

member 99594 · Mar 26, 2020

homer1475 said:
Huh?

You don't have to clean it, just rinse the fines out so it doesn't blow black water into the tank. If you "clean" it your, grinding it into itself to create more dust/fines.

Look after the canister is full, and you put your sponges in, just take the inner canister and just run a little tap through it till the water comes out clear. While my tank is not huge and I only run 10TBS of carbon, it takes like a cup of water to rinse out the fines.

Once the carbon is in the inner canister though the water does not just run through the carbon that easy until it is screwed in place. They are meant to force water through them.

it is hard to explain until you actually try it to see what I am saying and where the difficulty is.
I think the best option is what Lapin said to do and put the carbon in a bag and remove the inner canister and just allow water to flow through and around the tightly closed bag.

dwest · Mar 26, 2020

I use carbon in a bag passively in the sump. I replace it every 2 weeks and place it in a high flow area. I know it’s not the most efficient, but it has worked for me for over 20 years.

homer1475 · Mar 26, 2020

The water should still just flow through the canister. I have a reactor too and I know how they work.

Again all you have to do is get the dust off it. So just running water through the canister should suffice.

Putting it in a media bag and just letting the water flow around it, is defeating the entire purpose of a reactor.