Carbon in filter sock

Dallaswinefan · May 28, 2017

Hi all. Rather than get a carbon reactor, I'm wondering if I could simply dump carbon into my filter socks. I have a Red Sea 650, and it has two plastic ring filter socks through which all the water goes. I replace the socks about once a week, and I could replace the carbon at that time.

Bad idea?

Shaddow_wolf169 · May 28, 2017

I tried with carbon and phosguard mine clogged and all the carbon went bye bye right into the tank.

Mal11224 · May 28, 2017

I definitely think the flow will be too much in the filter socks. Better to place it in a bag and lay it in the sump where there is good flow.

Dallaswinefan · May 28, 2017

Sooo.... bad idea. Thank you.

Waters · May 28, 2017

You could do it.....a lot of people do, but you would want to put it in a mesh bag before putting it into the sock.

Dallaswinefan · May 28, 2017

Would that be better than resting the sock in the sump (where it is now, btw).

Dallaswinefan · May 28, 2017

also: I realized that a reactor is necessary, so I just ordered a BRS dual. As an interim measure, I'm going to place a carbon-filled filter back in the sock (I see Mal's point about the carbon disintegrating in the high flow). Can I do the same with GFO? Just for a few days, I mean.

Intricateart · May 29, 2017

I tried this the other day. It cleared water a bit, but that high flow churned the carbon and broke it down. The skimmer was pulling out a lot of black muck!