Carbon

[journey0820]

Hi all,
I've heard several of you mention taking carbon (and other stuff) out of your filters. Can you help me understand why you do this and if I need to do it? I'm cycling now and there is carbon in my protein skimmer and in my HOB filter. There is also a sponge like thing and some cylinders of matter in there as well. It's layered.

Thanks a lot for all of the help.

 

[Grins]

One reason is that it has to be replaced on a regular schedule, otherwise once it absorbs what it can it will begin to leach those toxins back into the water.

 

[Amphiprion]

I just replace it to make sure it doesn't get exhausted or loaded with detritus. If you change it on a reasonable basis (every two weeks or so), you can usually avoid this. Another option is to take it out and rinse it a bit, which can open up some more pores and extend life a bit.

 

[journey0820]

If people are not using and the tank is fine, why would people use it at all? If you chose not to use it would you remove it both from the filter and the protein skimmer?

 

[Grins]

Not sure I understand your question. Some do use it 24:7, I think Amp does for instance. I use it only as needed. However now that I have gone against my original plan and added one, soon to be 2 leathers I'll be running it full time as well. Others just avoid it to have one less thing to maintain.

 

[journey0820]

THanks...that answers it. I think I'll use my while I'm cycling and when I throw new things in there but probably not all of the time after that.

 

[Grins]

Oh and I was certain I had typed "added one leather and soon to be two"? Odd.

 

[journey0820]

Oh and I was certain I had typed "added one leather and soon to be two"? Odd.

??????

 

[Grins]

Sorry, I can see why it didn't make sense. I was just wondering if I had found another odd bug in the new site template. Didn't mean to add confusion to your topic.