How much carbon?

[Johnny C]

I recently added a carbon reactor. I have a 300 gallons total.. how much carbon should I be using? The reactor will hold 1200ml but to put that much carbon every other week would be incredibly expensive

 

[Quietman]

I recently added a carbon reactor. I have a 300 gallons total.. how much carbon should I be using? The reactor will hold 1200ml but to put that much carbon every other week would be incredibly expensive

Go to BRS Calculator it'll depend on the type of carbon you're using. ROX .8 for example will be 1.9 cups. And you don't need to replace it that often usually. 3-4 weeks. Or if ORP drops.

 

[Johnny C]

Thank you

 

[Johnny C]

So are you saying that this reactor is WAY to big to be a carbon reactor? It fits 1200ml

 

[Dan_P]

I recently added a carbon reactor. I have a 300 gallons total.. how much carbon should I be using? The reactor will hold 1200ml but to put that much carbon every other week would be incredibly expensive

Follow directions for amounts, but the need to change it every two weeks might be unnecessary.

I typically use 1 L of Marineland GAC (inexpensive) for a 100 gallon fish and invert system and change it every three months. The reason behind every three months has more to do with flow reduction by bacteria growth on the carbon than “using up” the GAC.

 

[anthonygf]

If you do not fill the container with carbon put some sponge filter in the remaining space. You do not want the carbon to tumble, will cause carbon to disintegrate creating fine particles that may get into your DT.

 

[Dan_P]

If you do not fill the container with carbon put some sponge filter in the remaining space. You do not want the carbon to tumble, will cause carbon to disintegrate creating fine particles that may get into your DT.

Excellent advice!

If good with scissors, cutting a one inch disc to cap the GAC would minimize the amount of sponge to be potentially clogged with bacteria.