how much carbon do you recommend?

[kikireef]

I am planning on hooking up my DIY carbon reactor today. I have heard different stories as to how much should be added. I just picked up marineland's black diamond activated carbon and was curious about how much to use. I have heard 3 tablespoons per 50 gallons of water and I have heard as much as 1 cup per 50 gallons of water. What do you guys (and gals) use?

 

[Percula9]

I fill my entire reactor with carbon and let it run.

 

[scottallert]

i fill mine too.

 

[Boomer]

I have heard 3 tablespoons per 50 gallons of water and I have heard as much as 1 cup per 50 gallons of water. What do you guys (and gals) use?

Yeah, we seem to change that like we do our shorts :lol: It is more on the order of 1 teaspoon / gal or 1/2 cup / 50 gal. I use to use 1 cup /50 and a times 1 liter for 50 wayback in the stone age How much to use is really a choice and depends on the tank load, the type of GAC and its grain size. A ruff good rule is now on the order of 1/2 cup / 50 gal for most of them.

 

[reef_doug]

1/2c p/ 50 gal for me and change it every 2-3 wks.

If you're tempted to use more, try to change it more frequently instead of increasing the amount.