Turn off Carbon reactor after a few days?

[Chris Villalobos]

I just watched Ryan at BRS say that in aquariums Carbon products lose all their ability to filter after 3 days use. So we should basically run the carbon reactor for a few days and turn it off till the next time we need to clean our water. Sound advice? I'd like to just turn off the pump to my reactor and only run it 3 days every two weeks when I change out the carbon.

 

[CC13]

I just watched Ryan at BRS say that in aquariums Carbon products lose all their ability to filter after 3 days use. So we should basically run the carbon reactor for a few days and turn it off till the next time we need to clean our water. Sound advice? I'd like to just turn off the pump to my reactor and only run it 3 days every two weeks when I change out the carbon.

I disagree with that time frame.

Most carbons used in salt water have an absorption curve that peaks rapidly in the first 24 to 48 hours (so this part I agree with from BRS) as absorption drops off gradually over the next 10 to 14 days. This is partly due to the media becoming more saturated with bound organics as it dies and dissolved into organic compounds. This also increasing bacterial colonization which gradually fills the porous structure limiting further uptake of the carbon. By day 14, the carbon is effectively useless.

So yes, carbon has peak performance after the first 2-3 days, however it most certainly is not useless after 3 days.

 

[Water Dog]

I love BRS and their videos. However, keep in mind that these are marketing videos designed to sell more stuff. If you run carbon, swap it out every two weeks and you’ll be fine.

 

[CC13]

I love BRS and their videos. However, keep in mind that these are marketing videos designed to sell more stuff. If you run carbon, swap it out every two weeks and you’ll be fine.

+1