How much carbon do you use in your reactor?

[DerekL]

I was just wondering how much carbon everyone used in there reactors? I usually use 1 1/2 cups and was wondering should I use more or less?

 

[reeffreak]

I was doing a cup and a half also. I think that should be fine. As long as you can get a good amount of flow threw it without it all tumbling you should be golden.

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

i never use anymore then a cup of gfo ,carbon,pellets

 

[reeffreak]

i never use anymore then a cup of gfo ,carbon,pellets

You should be running as many pellets as recommended for your set-up size. I run 500ml for a total water volume of 115

 

[Duke]

Meh, who made those recommendations anyways? I guess for guidelines it's a good place to start, but really u should be running the amounts your require to keep you levels where u want them, I never use more than a cup of gfo, carbon, and only used 1 cup of pellets, for a 90g with a good 30g of water in my sump.

 

[spyd]

I fill my BRS dual reactor cartridge full with carbon. Takes about 2 cups. I run 1 1/4 cups HC GFO but I have a heavy stocked tank and need to run a little more GFO to keep the PO4 in check on my 180G tank.

 

[reeffreak]

Meh, who made those recommendations anyways? I guess for guidelines it's a good place to start, but really u should be running the amounts your require to keep you levels where u want them, I never use more than a cup of gfo, carbon, and only used 1 cup of pellets, for a 90g with a good 30g of water in my sump.

Well that just it, the recommend amount is based on your total water volume, which is a better idea of what you need then just putting in what you feel it's the right amount ... Hence why it's a recommendation.

Recommended by the people who make the product ...

 

[reeffreak]

Chances are the amount you need will exceed the amount recommended, pending your tank stock.

 

[Duke]

[quote author=Duke link=topic=7122.msg72497#msg72497 date=1386685316]
Meh, who made those recommendations anyways? I guess for guidelines it's a good place to start, but really u should be running the amounts your require to keep you levels where u want them, I never use more than a cup of gfo, carbon, and only used 1 cup of pellets, for a 90g with a good 30g of water in my sump.

Well that just it, the recommend amount is based on your total water volume, which is a better idea of what you need then just putting in what you feel it's the right amount ... Hence why it's a recommendation.

Recommended by the people who make the product ...
[/quote]

True I hear ya there.. But at the same time.. Pretty much everything any manufacturer has to say is in the interest of sales over your success and tanks health.. Probably better to start off with half the recommended amounts to be safe.. It's easy to add more if needed.


I found it interesting to see the wide amount of variation people use vs water volumes.. In the end tho I guess there's many ways to achieve your goals so there probably is no right or wrong answer.

 

[reeffreak]

[quote author=reeffreak link=topic=7122.msg72502#msg72502 date=1386686616]
[quote author=Duke link=topic=7122.msg72497#msg72497 date=1386685316]
Meh, who made those recommendations anyways? I guess for guidelines it's a good place to start, but really u should be running the amounts your require to keep you levels where u want them, I never use more than a cup of gfo, carbon, and only used 1 cup of pellets, for a 90g with a good 30g of water in my sump.

Well that just it, the recommend amount is based on your total water volume, which is a better idea of what you need then just putting in what you feel it's the right amount ... Hence why it's a recommendation.

Recommended by the people who make the product ...
[/quote]

True I hear ya there.. But at the same time.. Pretty much everything any manufacturer has to say is in the interest of sales over your success and tanks health.. Probably better to start off with half the recommended amounts to be safe.. It's easy to add more if needed.


I found it interesting to see the wide amount of variation people use vs water volumes.. In the end tho I guess there's many ways to achieve your goals so there probably is no right or wrong answer.
[/quote]

Lots of variables. How much rock do you use, water volume, did you start them as soon as the tank was set up or were they added to the tank after its cycled or running for awhile.  If your starting the tank with pellets you would use the amount recommended, if your adding to an established tank then ya your most likely going to start with a small amount and increase over time.

 

[Poseidon]

i have a tlf 150 reactor full of carbon, ( as full as possible)

i didnt run carbon for the longest time,
but after i tried it, the water clarity improved incredibly

 

[Pistol]

I run 1 cup in a brs reactor, I don't think you can run too much carbon but you might be wasting it if you run too much.

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

I run 1 cup in a brs reactor, I don't think you can run too much carbon but you might be wasting it if you run too much.

is there really any diff how much carbon yu un ?.either a dup or full reaator or harl full?.  does more make it stronger ?...or is it all the same no matter how much yu have in the reactor.  ..lik yur wastingncarbon

 

[Pistol]

It can only adsorb so fast so if you run 1 cup a month and only need to run 1/2 cup then you wasted 1/2 a cup, IMO.

 

[curiousphil]

It can only adsorb so fast so if you run 1 cup a month and only need to run 1/2 cup then you wasted 1/2 a cup, IMO.

Or you could change it every 2 months?  Not sure if it works that way... I change mine out every month anyways.  Usually run around 1 cup in a media bag that sits in my skimmers output section.

 

[Pistol]

Because of carbon dosing I have to change monthly as it gets clogged up with bacteria, but if you could leave it longer that would work, It's a hard one to judge but 1 cup monthly keeps my water crystal clear.

 

[Duke]

interesting read here for sure, lots of talk about the benifits, and supprisingly the negative effects, mostly pertaining to reef aquariums and phosphates..

http://www.seachem.com/Library/Articles/Carbon_Interview.pdf

 

[Pistol]

Here's a better read, independent.

http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/does-a-reef-tank-need-carbon/

 

[DerekL]

Thanks Pistol that was a good read.

 

[Pistol]

Thanks Pistol that was a good read.

Your welcome