Let's talk about carbon

[ReefQueen]

What is your favorite and why? How do you use it, in a bag or reactor? Have you used other brands of carbon to compare it to, if so what differences did you notice? Maybe you prefer not to use carbon at all. Did you have a bad experience, didn't notice a difference, or just never tried it? Share what you've learned about using (or not using) carbon.

 

[JBKReef]

I'm new to the hobby, the biggest issues I've found using carbon in a reactor is getting a small amount to stay still in the BRS reactors. For my 100 gallon total system volume I only need 10 tablespoons of media. Trying to keep that between two sponges at the top of the reactor is difficult. I've had the sponge slip twice and allow a gap at the top that allows it to tumble.

I'm debating about switching to the mini-reactor because of this.

I've noticed a big difference in clarity after beginning to run the carbon after my cycle.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I have used Brs rox just started back up the tank and started using esv AC I use a reactor never had a problem with rox esv AC was on sale when I was ordering so I said let me try it since esv makes good products I’m not disappointed as it works great and keeps my water very clean.

 

[sundog101]

I use BRS rox

I'm new to the hobby, the biggest issues I've found using carbon in a reactor is getting a small amount to stay still in the BRS reactors. For my 100 gallon total system volume I only need 10 tablespoons of media. Trying to keep that between two sponges at the top of the reactor is difficult. I've had the sponge slip twice and allow a gap at the top that allows it to tumble.

I'm debating about switching to the mini-reactor because of this.

I've noticed a big difference in clarity after beginning to run the carbon after my cycle.

I’ve had the same issue. I finally just pushed the sponges to the bottom and put some rocks on top. Thought about changing too.

 

[JBKReef]

I use BRS rox


I’ve had the same issue. I finally just pushed the sponges to the bottom and put some rocks on top. Thought about changing too.

Now that is an inteesting idea. I never thought about putting some kind of support into the chamber with it. I have a bunch of MarinePure Bio blocks, the 2 inch cubes. I coul maybe trim two or three of those down around the edges to hold the sponges in place. Will still have the water flowing for beneficial bacteria real-estate and keep things in line.

+1 internet point for you today. Thanks Sundog!

 

[Greenstreet.1]

It sounds like you guys may have to much flow going through the reactor.

 

[JBKReef]

It sounds like you guys may have to much flow going through the reactor.

I thought about that, and closed off my valve some... The issue I have really comes before the flow even starts when I'm installing the carbon. Navigating it into the cartridge, and twisting it into the bracket, causes the sponge to slip inside the tube about an inch which allows it to tumble.

 

[Waters]

I also use rox carbon, running it 24X7 in a reactor. No issues with it at all. Requires very little rinsing unlike most of the cheaper brands.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I thought about that, and closed off my valve some... The issue I have really comes before the flow even starts when I'm installing the carbon. Navigating it into the cartridge, and twisting it into the bracket, causes the sponge to slip inside the tube about an inch which allows it to tumble.

Ok be careful with the tumbling it can cause the carbon to rub together and turn to smaller sizes and get into your system.

 

[JBKReef]

Ok be careful with the tumbling it can cause the carbon to rub together and turn to smaller sizes and get into your system.

Yup thats why I'm going to try @sundog101 's suggestion of using some rubble under the sponge to keep it from sinking.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

What are you using to supply flow for the reactor?

 

[JBKReef]

What are you using to supply flow for the reactor?

It is manifolded (proper grammar to hell) off my return pump with a ball valve to control flow.

Not wanting to hijack the thread @ReefQueen @Greenstreet.1 can you jump over to my build thread (link in signature) i have some pictures up of the manifold and position of reactor I believe.

 

[ReefQueen]

It is manifolded (proper grammar to hell) off my return pump with a ball valve to control flow.

Not wanting to hijack the thread @ReefQueen @Greenstreet.1 can you jump over to my build thread (link in signature) i have some pictures up of the manifold and position of reactor I believe.

It's not a highjack if it helps others figure out issues they are having with their carbon

 

[40B Knasty]

I learned if someone is a small bag user of carbon like me. The amount of more is not something to be concerned about. Carbon can strip a tank in 24hrs pretty much of the white bucket/container test to see if your water is yellowing/tinting up a little. No need to leave it in longer than 3-5 days. Use a bag every 3-6 months pending how good you are about water changes. Carbon exhausts fast. So no need to let a bag be in your filtration for a month. If people are using a reactor with 10-20x the amount of a bag and changing it out every 3 weeks time. The math of it all kinds of adds up. Also it is good for stripping the water of medication/treatment.

 

[tank o tang]

If it is tumbling it sounds like you are using an upflow through your reactor instead of water flowing downwards. Gfo should be slightly tumbling with water flowing from bottom to top. Carbon should be pushed down with the water flowing from top to bottom. I change the carbon in the reactor every other week.

 

[ReefQueen]

If it is tumbling it sounds like you are using an upflow through your reactor instead of water flowing downwards. Gfo should be slightly tumbling with water flowing from bottom to top. Carbon should be pushed down with the water flowing from top to bottom. I change the carbon in the reactor every other week.

What kind of carbon do you use?

 

[Greenstreet.1]

If it is tumbling it sounds like you are using an upflow through your reactor instead of water flowing downwards. Gfo should be slightly tumbling with water flowing from bottom to top. Carbon should be pushed down with the water flowing from top to bottom. I change the carbon in the reactor every other week.

I don’t think it matters if it’s top or bottom flow what matters is that there’s good contact time with the carbon and water and that it’s not tumbling. Yes I know that if the water is feed from top you have less chance of tumble.

 

[JBKReef]

What kind of carbon do you use?

If that question was meant for everyone...

I use BRS Rox

 

[jimmyzhou]

I’m runing brs rox 0.8 with there reactor. Only use about 50-60% what they recommend is be very great never have any issues with it

 

[scuzy]

I've been using rox 0.8 but it gets clog to easy in a reactor. Recently changed to seachem matrix and its been good since they are round spheres less clogging of the reactor.