How frequently do you change your carbon?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

How often do you change out your carbon? I'm thinking once a month is probably an adequate routine, but figured I'd check to see what others are finding is best practice.

 

[tankstudy]

I change it out once a month.

 

[midtnmike41]

I change 1/2 cup Rox 0.8 every 2 weeks. This seems to work well in my 90 gallon.

 

[andrew james]

Do you all leave carbon running constantly? I only ever turn it on for an hour or so after i put a hand in the tank or some other contamination happens

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Do you all leave carbon running constantly? I only ever turn it on for an hour or so after i put a hand in the tank or some other contamination happens

I'm planning to run it constantly as part of my filtration maintenance.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

What brand are you guys and gals using?

 

[tankstudy]

Do you all leave carbon running constantly? I only ever turn it on for an hour or so after i put a hand in the tank or some other contamination happens

I run it on at all times. If any corals or any substance of any level of toxicity are in the water, the carbon picks it up.

 

[midtnmike41]

I run BRS ROX 0.8 all the time.

 

[BigJim]

I run BRS Rox passively in my sump and change it monthly. There a shelf built into my sump where all the water passes through and it's perfect for a bag of carbon.

 

[bios]

I run it 3-5days max one week, after some weeks without and then other 3-5days again

 

[cloak]

I usually replace my GAC once every 28 days, but once a week I'll take it out and give it a good rinse under the faucet. It's amazing what this small bag of carbon can accumulate sometimes.

I use the Aquaclear inserts btw. This usually costs me about $25 a year, but I do a lot of trading at my LFS so it's all gravy.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

What brand are you guys and gals using?

I'll be using ROX 0.8 by AquaMaxx.

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...dia-AquaMaxx-UJ00177-FIFMCHCM-UJ00179-vi.html

 

[Mike_J]

I run Red Sea Reef Spec carbon all the time and change it out once a month.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Can't say I really run carbon. I have some on hand for emergency sake. Once in a while I'll put some in and run it passively. When I do I usually put it in for a few days and then pull it out. I usually run the BRS ROX.

 

[Tori]

I run ROX 0.8 passively and change it out once a month.

 

[Midrats]

I run Seachem Matrix Carbon for couple of days whenever I feel like it.

 

[jason2459]

I'll be using ROX 0.8 by AquaMaxx.

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...dia-AquaMaxx-UJ00177-FIFMCHCM-UJ00179-vi.html

That is a very good GAC. Exact same as the BRS. Both flip flop in price

This is the source
http://www.cabotcorp.com/solutions/products-plus/activated-carbon/extruded

Change it out about once a month.

My post here lays out what I would look for in a GAC based on an excellent discussion between Boomer, Randy, Cliff, and a few others from a few years ago

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/any-ops-on-decent-activated-carbon.270448/#post-3245038

 

[biggen]

I run BRS .8 Rox constantly. I change it once a week with my water change.

 

[lou dog420]

I am running the BRS dual reactor, both canisters half full of carbon and GFO mixed 50/50. Every week as part of my routine I change out the lead canister, rotate the lag canister to the lead position, and put the newly filled canister in the lag position. So basically each one gets replaced every 2 weeks. Carbon used for polishing water in an aquarium is more than likely shot after 4 or 5 days, but becomes an effective biofilter. My thinking in the way that I rotate mine out is that by placing the fresh canister in lag behind the lead that has been in there for a week already is that bacteria quickly populates the fresh lag canister. I then flush about 5 gallons through the canisters to remove GFO fines, and that's my weekly water change.

 

[Feet4Fish]

I use supernova carbon and change it every two months. When I used ROX 0.8 I change that monthly as well. This carbon is seeded per the company with appropriate bacteria and enzymes that will help break down organics that could bog down the carbon. What I have found is that even after two months still doing a great job and the water is crystal clear but I still change anyway because that's manufacturers recommendations.