any test kits to make sure carbon still works?

[DrDNA]

Since you all have been so helpful in the past with answering questions, I have one more
Are there any test kits or anything out there you can use to see if your carbon is still active? My water stays "non yellow" mainly because I run ozone and have a lightly stocked tank, it is still only a few months old. But, I also run carbon to pick up any toxicants etc. I don't really want to throw away carbon away and replace it if it is still active though.

Any thoughts?

-Jeff

 

[MrMikeB]

Jeff,

Carbon can (and will) leach back into the system when it completely saturated and no longer 'active.' Given the relative cost vs the potential impact, I run a carbon on a set cycle (say for 2 weeks), then I throw it out and replace it.

For a way to test, I would imagine that your testing on nitrates, phosphates, etc. will show in increase when it is used up given that the carbon will no longer be pulling the bad things that build up these levels from the water (waste, food, etc.). So when you see these levels begin to rise and you have not changed anything, time to throw it out! I also notice a little more algae growth when the carbon is nearing the end of its usefulness.

 

[Justin74]

If it's been in an air tight containor it should be good for a long time, if it's been exposed to the air for an extended period of time, it may indeed be somewhat exhausted.

I suppose if you had a TDS meter, would be one way to test. Although it may be a small amount changed even with active carbon it should be a measurable decrease. For example put a powerhead and some water in a bucket and take a reading, lets say after agitating the water for a few minutes in the bucket(as to have measurable solids carried over via the powerhead and bucket) you test 150, drop 1/4 cup of(rinsed w/ RO/DI) carbon and let the powerhead agitate the carbon for a day and then take another TDS reading. If it stays at 150 or has increased a little bit, the carbon is not holding well, if it drops to 100-130 it still has some use.

Or, if you had (via test strips or the like) measurable amount of amonia and your bucket of freshwater, you could put the carbon in the bucket and let agitate/stir for 24 hours then take another reading. You should have little to no measurable amounts of amonia if your carbon is working.

Somehow testing for amonia will be the best and easiest way to test to see if it's working in my opinion as this one of the more crucial reasons carbon is used. Im not sure how effective carbon is on nitrites though, but may be another option.

-Justin

 

[DrDNA]

I kind of figured there were no "carbon test kits" available and suspected there was no real direct way of measuring it. I have heard that it will leach stuff back into solution. I also "cycle" it, a term someone else used, meaning it run it for 24hrs one day a week so it doesn't suck up all my trace additives.
One more of the joys of reefkeeping...

 

[DrDNA]

PS - I haven't had any issues with ammonia or nitrates since the initial cycle, so I don't need carbon for those reasons. Even then, I had used mostly cured rock so the cycle was very minimal. I run it, probably like most everyone, just to pick up any toxic stuff that the skimmer and ozonizer miss.

 

[Mimbler1]

Salifert makes a carbon testing kit. I've found it is mostly exhausted after several days.
Mike

 

[shiveley]

wouldn't the test cost more than the carbon itself?

 

[Mimbler1]

Maybe for the short term, but if it let's you guage what your carbon consumption is, it can save you a lot in the long term,
Mike

 

[Sheldon337]

Dang, two weeks for carbon?

I've been running mine for 6 mos.

 

[DrDNA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9405137#post9405137 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sheldon337
Dang, two weeks for carbon?

I've been running mine for 6 mos.

yep, and hence the reason for my post

 

[tfp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9400595#post9400595 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrMikeB
...I run a carbon on a set cycle (say for 2 weeks), then I throw it out and replace it...

i do the same thing. i replace 2 cups of it every 2-2.5 weeks on about 300g.