brightwell carbon

[21093r53]

Hello how long is everyone running this stuff? This is my first time using and it states 24-48 hours...is this correct?!?!?

Thanks in advance

 

[bertoni]

If it's just activated carbon, then I'd suggest running it continuously, and changing it every month or so.

 

[21093r53]

It is the carbonit stuff...I do believe its simply activated carbon...

 

[HighlandReefer]

I agree with Jon.

Check out the price difference if you were to use BulkReefSupply.com carbon (GAC).

 

[kissman]

activated carbon should be changed out every 2-3 weeks.

 

[bertoni]

There isn't any objective data on how long carbon lasts or how much a tank might need. Both factors could vary a lot depending on what's in the system. You could try experimenting with various replacement periods, but after about a month, the carbon is going to be covered with bacteria, and thus won't do much filtration.

 

[cthedaytrader]

For whaty its worth, and this is not sicentific lol, but I know its time to change the carbon if my tank begins to smell. Which as stated is usually every 3 weeks someties less.

Once I change it the odor usually is gone very quickly. I am sure ideally you would want to change it before this point but it works for me.

Another thing to watch is water clarity, when my carbon is fresh my tank is crystal clear.

 

[kissman]

if you do enough research you will find studies that the carbon is a lot less effective after 1 week and after 2 or 3 weeks bacteria begins to grow in it. If bacteria grows and you replace all of the carbon it can shock your system. Because you have pulled out a lot of the bacteria. That is were the 2 week recomendations come from

 

[bertoni]

Hmm, that's interesting, although remove carbon shouldn't shock the system unless the filtration is very inadequate. I changed my carbon for years at about the 1 month mark, and I used a lot of carbon. I agree that the carbon can become less effective or even saturated after a week or even less, but most tanks don't seem to suffer, even so.

Judging when to change the carbon by tank odor is very practical. I never had that as an indicator, though.