Carbon Filter

[SimonWoodstock]

What is the typical life of a carbon filter. If you need to know what types of filters I have, here are the 2 im running at the moment:

AquaClear 150 : the carbon part of it is like a pouch, has alot more carbon than any other filter I have had.

and

a Regent..? that came with a 10 gallon set i got from good old wally world years ago....it has just a plain filter thing in it...blue stuff with like 10 pieces of carbon in it..not much at all.

How often do these need to be replaced?

[carpguy]

Carbon is good for doing specific types of chemical filtration. You don't really need it on a continual ongoing basis. Which is good because its really only effective for a few days. After that it makes a fine biofiltration medium, but its chemical effectiveness is way down and headed for nil.

The Wetman covers it in detail at his very good Skeptical Aquarist (http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/filtration/chemfil.shtml). Its one of the best reference sites around…

[RTR]

Completely imposible to tell. Carbon adsorbtion for any given material is specific for that material (i.e., a particular tannin or dye) and will depend on the quantity each of the carbon and of the material to be removed. In any case the useful life is normally measured in days.

But carbon is not a required filtration material in FW tanks. Many of us only add carbon for specific use (as to remove dye or other colorant) only, and do not use chronically. Some folks do always use carbon. It is a personal choice item, not a requirement.

[MrGoodbytes]

I haven't used carbon for the longest time, but I think it's about every 2 months.

[SimonWoodstock]

wow, good site. is there anything you guys don't know?
:D

thanks for the quick help, btw

[aquariumfishguy]

Yes,... we know everything. We're good, we're darn good! :p

Here is another link for carbon info: http://www.hallman.org/filter/carbon.html

Good luck!