Carbon question

[jabo]

I run carbon and had an idea the other day. I use "panty hose" in the third section of my sump/refugium. Water trickles over a small section and barely hits my carbon bags. I am considering putting a filter sock on my return line where it dumps back into my skimmer section. Does anyone see a problem with me putting two large bags of carbon inside the filter sock? I think it will have a lot more contact with the water and should do a better job. Thoughts or ideas?

 

[Rudolph]

I have had my filter sock clog up and the water ran over the top.....so if you have ever left yours get to that point your carbon could run into your sump and possibly get sucked into your tank? If not, cannot see why that wouldn't be a good idea...

 

[jabo]

My carbon would be in bags so I would not have to worry about that...

 

[OneReef]

I tried that for while a couple of years ago. Worked ok. Only concern is if the drain going into the sock is really dumping fast water and pulverizing the carbon. But it should be ok. I've done it without negative results.

 

[neuroslicer]

Putting carbon in a bag or sock is still just passive filtering, meaning that lots of water will flow by and not through the carbon... reducing efficiency. Packing carbon into a canister filter is much more efficient because all the water has to pass through the carbon before exiting the canister. I've got an old Magnum 350 with a carbon containing insert... I use a small pump to circulate the water through the carbon (rather than use the original Magnum impeller motor) and then I return the flow to the tank for more water circulation. Does a nice job of polishing the water. And I recommend the ROX carbon from Bulkreefsupply. And change it every 3 weeks or so before nitrate producing bacteria accumulate.