carbon? How much do you use

[steve the plumb]

Randy(DR Farly) recommends about a cup per 90 gals(If thats what I remember I am not exactly sure)How much do you guys use for large tanks.I was wondering since my system would need around 4 to 4 1/2 cups witch isn't exactly cheap since I used to change it out every two weeks.I was just wondering.Big tanks big money!!!

 

[Bebo77]

on my 300 i fill up my Aqua c with new carbon every month...

 

[Elliott]

I just fill up a small sock that is around 2-3 inch diameter by about a 8-9 inches long. But I only leave it in the sump for 2-3 days since I've read the effectiveness of it's binding capacity is lost after that and it can release back into the water. So I only use carbon on an as needed basis.

 

[jnarowe]

I use 1-1/2 of the Marineland 3.65L Black Diamond and my usual schedule is once a month.

Also note that it is recommended to change it out much more often than that. My observations are that teh carbon has an immediate impact that lasts about 3 - 4 days. After that, I am fairly certain it just becomes a biological filter.

 

[steve the plumb]

I usually change mine out every 2 weeks,this was my old tank.I used a phosban reactor full of carbon for this tank but I only have 2 fish witch is a joke but I want to get into the habit of using a good amount.I am wondering if I used to much its close to 2 cups of carbon to fill that reactor.I also don't want to go overboard since it not exactly cheap(like this hobby) I don't want to be spending a fortune on carbon if I don't need to.

 

[jnarowe]

if you buy it right, it really isn't too expensive. where are you getting it?

 

[steve the plumb]

I had bought it online.I bought a pale of kent carbon(2 gal).I paid $54 plus tax Cdn funds but if you know where I can get it cheaper please let me know because I don't think I got a good deal.I can maybe order online and ship to my cousin's house.

 

[jnarowe]

just buy the Marineland Black Diamond. It has much better absorption rate than the pellets and is way cheaper. I get mine from Custom Aquatic, but it is available from almost any major online retailer. You could even make a deal with an LFS to get you in large bags. The pellet carbons typically don't do so well in testing, with the exception of Two Little Fishes Hydrocarbon, but again, that is very expensive.

 

[steve the plumb]

My friend works at hagen and I get a discount but they have it in small bags,I should ask him if I can get it in bulk.Most of there products are sold for there filters so its usually in packets or small amounts.

 

[steve the plumb]

I have bought from here http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/additives.php?product_ID=aqr-bd068

 

[jnarowe]

That's a bit expensive dude...Actually, I just realized that I get mine from Drs Foster Smith.

Looks like the largest Fluval (Hagen) is 800g which I think is really too small for you.

 

[steve the plumb]

thats a good price.You always pay more in CANADA.I see you use about $21 worth of carbon a month thats not cheap.I am wondering if I can find it cheaper than that.

 

[steve the plumb]

Jnarowe look at these prices http://www.twopartsolution.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&keyword=carbon&x=19&y=12

 

[jnarowe]

Hmmm...I didn't know they sold bulk carbon. The larger sizes are good prices. I have to weigh a Black Diamond to see how it compares weight to price. But really $21/month is nothing. I use about $60 worth of salt per month and $20 of GFO...geez...what the hell am I doing?

 

[steve the plumb]

Have you factored in electricity? sand that you replace,fish food?What about test kits and additives.Let me know what you think of the price.I would have to find out about shipping.Do they have any free shipping if you spend a certain amount.Let me know because I may buy some more if its worth it.Carbon lasts long if its sealed and I want to buy enough to last me 6 months or more.

 

[jnarowe]

not really...maybe $75/month. Sand...no. Fish food...no but it's probably around $20/month. Test kits...maybe $10+/month. Additives....hmmm that would be hard, but probably around $10 - $15 per month. I figure I spend around $500/month on my systems when you take into account livestock, CO2, etc.

 

[steve the plumb]

Yup you have the fish bug.Very hard to get rid of(like those bankers in the commercial) They also sell phosphate removal media(GFO) in bulk.Maybe something else to look into("hands in your pocket out to the fish place") sing it in key!