what happens when i don't change my carbon?

[Opticat]

The carbon I use recommends that I should change every month, what would happen if I just leave it in the tank? Would it leach out the chemicals that it absorbed?

 

[Idoc]

I would suspect that the stuff absorbed would eventually be released back into the tank. Plus the carbon pieces will rub against each other and eventually begin to break down into dust. This carbon dust/fines are highly suspected of causing some issues and diseases, such as HLLE disease. Probably best to remove the carbon and replace regularly...and always rinse it thoroughly before putting into your tank.

 

[DrZoidburg]

Also to add to above besides if carbon degrades if in a reactor these tend to clog. Then become anaerobic releasing hydrogen sulfide into your tank, messing with alk or others, and possibly putting unintended things in water.

 

[Rmckoy]

Depending on what fish you plan on stocking. .
Or corals .
My impression of carbon is a double edged sword .

yes it absorbs toxins but can cause hlle in tangs and angel fish .

 

[Rmckoy]

I would suspect that the stuff absorbed would eventually be released back into the tank. Plus the carbon pieces will rub against each other and eventually begin to break down into dust. This carbon dust/fines are highly suspected of causing some issues and diseases, such as HLLE disease. Probably best to remove the carbon and replace regularly...and always rinse it thoroughly before putting into your tank.

I was advised to put it in a bag instead of a reactor .
a reactor is said to be the worse place as it will eventually break it down grinding it into dust .
A low flow area in a cloth bag .

 

[Grumblez]

Depending on what fish you plan on stocking. .
Or corals .
My impression of carbon is a double edged sword .

yes it absorbs toxins but can cause hlle in tangs and angel fish .

Hlle extremely rare, I sandwich mine between filter floss so impossible for any dust to escape

 

[Rmckoy]

Hlle extremely rare, I sandwich mine between filter floss so impossible for any dust to escape

I was told it’s opposite and very common especially with surgeonfish .
angelfish take longer to show signs but common with them as well .

I turned off the reactors and planning on adding carbon in a bag to the slower section of my sump

I have a yellow belly tang that’s starting to show signs in his face ..
this was the reason for researching carbon

 

[DrZoidburg]

I can say I use reactor not regularly, but from time to time. Never more than two weeks usually less. Never had a hlle episode, not saying it is impossible though. Washing them before installation correctly is probably the most important part. Had tangs for quite some time now.

 

[Rmckoy]

I added 2 reactors in line .
first had carbon . Next has rowaphos .

the carbon was in case the red flatworms decided to off themselves
And the rowaphos lowered phosphates to my target level until cheato grew enough to keep everything under control .

 

[Auquanut]

I run BRS ROX 0.8 carbon 24/7 through a reactor. I change it out monthly. I think it's important to pack it tightly to prevent any tumbling and rinse it thoroughly before using.

I'm sure that leaving it too long in the reactor could have detrimental effects due to erosion of the carbon itself and/or release of contaminants. Not a justifiable opinion, just the way I look at it. Best just to either keep up with the maintenance of the reactor, or do without. So far, it's worked very well for me.

 

[Spare time]

I was advised to put it in a bag instead of a reactor .
a reactor is said to be the worse place as it will eventually break it down grinding it into dust .
A low flow area in a cloth bag .

It is not supposed to grind in a reactor but rather be packed in

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

After while in the tank, the carbon will just become surface area for bacteria to grow on.

 

[EricR]

After while in the tank, the carbon will just become surface area for bacteria to grow on.

Is that good, bad, or "depends"? (Newbie serious question)

For carbon in a bag, after its useful lifespan, I assume it's better to just get rid of it (if not replacing with new carbon any time soon).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is that good, bad, or "depends"? (Newbie serious question)

For carbon in a bag, after its useful lifespan, I assume it's better to just get rid of it (if not replacing with new carbon any time soon).

It's not apparent that it is good or bad. Just a fact.

 

[GARRIGA]

After while in the tank, the carbon will just become surface area for bacteria to grow on.

Could the carbon leach that which it has absorbed? I’m considering the possibility of using exhausted carbon for biological due to its large surface area. I can pre-filter it to capture bulk of the detritus.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Could the carbon leach that which it has absorbed? I’m considering the possibility of using exhausted carbon for biological due to its large surface area. I can pre-filter it to capture bulk of the detritus.

Some maybe, as tighter binding things displace it. That likely happens even with short use. I often left sone of the GAC in to seed bacteria for further colonization because GAC seemed a main area bacteria grew when T dosed vinegar.

 

[GARRIGA]

Some maybe, as tighter binding things displace it. That likely happens even with short use. I often left sone of the GAC in to seed bacteria for further colonization because GAC seemed a main area bacteria grew when T dosed vinegar.

Then do you see long term issues if the bulk of the carbon was never removed. I’m assuming the portion constantly being replaced would absorb that small amount released from binding? Seems rather wasteful that as an industry we are constantly throwing things away.

 

[Dan_P]

The carbon I use recommends that I should change every month, what would happen if I just leave it in the tank? Would it leach out the chemicals that it absorbed?

Bacteria grow on GAC. It is possible that the bacteria consume what the carbon adsorbs, making GAC self-renewing. I read that recently in a scientific paper on biofilms and possibly observed it when I removed my 90 day old GAC and the aquarium water became colored in a couple weeks. Possibly the 90 day old GAC was still doing its job.

 

[damsels are not mean]

I seem to remember reading something somewhere that said it becomes just more bio media remarkably fast.

 

[Spare time]

Bacteria grow on GAC. It is possible that the bacteria consume what the carbon adsorbs, making GAC self-renewing. I read that recently in a scientific paper on biofilms and possibly observed it when I removed my 90 day old GAC and the aquarium water became colored in a couple weeks. Possibly the 90 day old GAC was still doing its job.

I think that is part of the logic behind aquachar's carbon marketing https://www.aquachar.com/about/