[charlie]

How many cups of carbon for a 350+ gallon system?

[Samper]

ASU runs about two pounds at a time. Total system volume around 255 gallons. My system 120 gallons total I run about a pound at a time. I run ESV carbon in both. I change half of these amounts out bi weekly.

[charlie]

So if I wanted to err on the light side, 2 lbs. would be good to go you think?

[Samper]

I would assume so. We just have an abundance of it around so I'm using the heck out of it...I may be over using it if there is such a thing. I have been noticing that carbon comes in many different shapes and sizes. I assume there are benefits one way or another but have stuck with what I know to work well.

[Ninong]

There is no fixed answer to that question. That's in the same category as asking how large and how often to do water changes.

For my 120-gal tank, I used one cup of carbon in a mesh bag placed in the sump flow and changed it approximately once a month. That's not the best way to do it but that's the way I did it. It would be better to have a filter cylinder or canister filled with carbon so that the water is forced through.

As I'm sure you already know, there are those who only rarely use carbon, those who use it only two or three days a month and those who use it 24/7. Among those who do use carbon, opinions vary as to the quantity required per 100 gallons of tank capacity, and I'm talking about the so-called "experts." A lot depends on the "needs" of your tank and how frequently you intend changing the carbon.

Salifert sells a test kit to determine whether your carbon is "used up" or not. I bought the test kit and used it a couple of times but I'm not sure if I was ever really satisfied with the results, so I stopped fooling with it and simply used about one cup of carbon in a mesh bag (~4"x8") that I placed in a spot where the water had to flow through it. I changed it out about once a month. I considered the possibilty of running it only three or four days a month but never did go with that option.

[Ninong]

Charlie,

Are you using a mesh bag in your sump or do you have a dedicated filter cylinder for the carbon?

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Ninong

Charlie,

Are you using a mesh bag in your sump or do you have a dedicated filter cylinder for the carbon?

We'll call it a mesh bag, let's put it that way!!!

Thanx for the input. I used to run carbon in the old 300, and I did about 3-4 cups in 2 separate bags. I changed them out at 2 week intervals. I only have one bag now, but I think I am gonna acquire a couple more. I would love to have an old used cannister filter, maybe I should look into seeing if someone has an old used fluval hanging around.

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Samper

I would assume so. We just have an abundance of it around so I'm using the heck out of it...I may be over using it if there is such a thing. I have been noticing that carbon comes in many different shapes and sizes. I assume there are benefits one way or another but have stuck with what I know to work well.

I have heard that The Filter Guys are selling bulk carbon nowadays, I think I am gonna give that a look too.

[zhenya]

I agree with Ninong that it is better to force water through the carbon. I use Marineland Diamond Carbon only because I got crapload of it for free.I think Wallmart sells the same carbon in a different package for alot less money. I never measured how much I put in the Phosban reactor that I use for it, though.
I think you can use smaller amount and just exchange it more often if you don't have large enough filter.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by charlie

I used to run carbon in the old 300, and I did about 3-4 cups in 2 separate bags. I changed them out at 2 week intervals.

I have done it exactly that way myself from time to time, using two mesh bags with about 2/3 cup of carbon in each bag and leaving each bag in for about four weeks but changing them separately every other week.

Here is the absolute minimum recommendation from someone who is still considered an "expert," even if a bit controversial:


The amount that I have found to be sufficient in

• reefs is:
  • about 3 level tablespoons per 50 gallons of actual water
  • ran once a week, for approximately 12 hours
  • I then remove the carbon, spread it out in a shallow tray and let it dry out
  • one week later I use it again for 12 hours
  • I change the carbon based on the carbon yellowing test results (see below)

That's Albert Thiel's recommendation. Notice that he's using a very small amount of carbon and he runs it only 12 hours per week.

I have seen other recommendations calling for running it 24-48 hours per month. As far as the quantity is concerned, I have seen anything from Thiel's recommendation for 6 level tablespoons per 100 gallons all the way up to about two cups per 100 gallons.

Another factor to consider is that the carbon can get "used up" faster in some tanks than in others. It all depends on your bioload and exactly what you have in your tank. In some situations, the capacity of the carbon to adsorb nasties is greatly diminished after only a few days. That's why it's so difficult to offer a one-size-fits-all answer to your question.

[charlie]

I knew about the fact that there are many recommendations with time periods varying from person to person. I have tried most all of them back when. I would rather go on the lighter side, so Thiels idea kind of appeals to me. It seems that I could get more out of the carbon that way also.

I was just going to put it inside the sump first baffle, where the water flows in from the display, that would definitely be forcing water thru it I think.

I have read Boomer's thought's on what carbon is best also, that is why I mentioned the folks in post #8.

What size micron bag would be suggested, any ideas???

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by charlie

What size micron bag would be suggested, any ideas???

These are the ones that I used, 4"x8", 800 micron mesh.

They also make those in the 6"x10" size, but the 4"x8" size fit into the particular area in my sump. The 4"x8" size holds about one cup.

[Ninong]

Here's a photo of my Lifereef LF-150 sump showing the mesh filter bag filled with carbon resting on top of the sponge filter pad at the far left side of the sump in this photo from Lifereef's website. Unfortunately, I didn't have those optional filter cylinders shown in this picture.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by charlie

I would rather go on the lighter side, so Thiels idea kind of appeals to me. It seems that I could get more out of the carbon that way also.

I was only using that as an example of the minimalist approach. I don't agree with him at all on the small quantity of carbon. In fact, all of the other hobby gurus that I have read on this topic recommend much more carbon that that.

I can understand the idea of running it only 12 hours/week, if that's what you want to try, but I would increase the quantity of carbon considerably over what Thiel recommends. His recommendation is definitely at the low end of the range compared to what everyone else recommends.

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Ninong

These are the ones that I used, 4"x8", 800 micron mesh.

They also make those in the 6"x10" size, but the 4"x8" size fit into the particular area in my sump. The 4"x8" size holds about one cup.

That helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see what you mean about Thiels advice. I guess I'll just have to find the happy medium huh? I have also heard run it 3 days, a week, and other assorted periods. I would guess that you would be called lazy if you ran it a month at a time, but that just about fits my schedule.

[Samper]

I use different size and micron bags but I believe the two I have running right now are 6X10 300 micron bags. I put them in the first set of baffles in the sump and sort of stuff them down to the bottom so water has no choice but to run through it.

[charlie]

Thanx guys for the help, it is appreciated!!!!

[Poseidon]

Hwy Charlie... I don't use any, I haven't for about 18 months, and I can see no difference at all. So I guess you can chalk me up in the "doesn't use" category.

[charlie]

Um, if I told you I have been really religious about changing carbon out in the past, I would definitely be lying. I just kind of figured it wouldn't hurt with this tank being fairly "new". I will probably run this current bunch for at least 3-4 days, then do some water tests, just for grins!!