How often do you change your activated carbon?

[ncwaterboy]

A friend was telling me that he runs his carbon 3 days max as if it is left in for longer periods it looses its porosity from detritus and becomes ineffective. I leave mine in for 6 weeks at a time

 

[psteeleb]

I change mine with the water change - every 2-3 weeks (not listed so didn't vote)

 

[Amoore311]

Changes Carbon every 3 days???

That's insane. He must have closets full of carbon buckets from changing it out so often.

 

[Ritten]

Every two weeks.

 

[downhillbiker]

sorry, put 3 days, thought it was 3 weeks. i change mine every 3 weeks.

 

[ncwaterboy]

My friend was saying that once the carbon looses it's porosity it starts to act very much like a bio ball and can ultimately raise nitrates.

 

[vanmo92]

I dont use carbon.

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12456811#post12456811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ncwaterboy
My friend was saying that once the carbon looses it's porosity it starts to act very much like a bio ball and can ultimately raise nitrates.

I guess if you're running a bunch of gunky water through it that could be a concern. My experiance (results not tests) appears to be consitant witht he study that was recently published (was that last month or two months ago? - argg I hate getting old)

 

[meschaefer]

I run carbon for three days, once a month.

 

[Canarygirl]

None of the choices above.

I run carbon 24/7 and change it out every 3 weeks.

 

[lowendmelody]

once a week and I let it run for that week

 

[Bebo77]

every 1st of the month i change it....

 

[DLANDINO]

Rinse every week and change every two.

 

[fareforce]

I guess it really depends on how much you use. My tank at work gets changed every week to every other week. They are the small pre-made filter chartriges with minimal carbon. My reef tanks, however, run phosban reactors that are full of carbon that I change every 6-8 weeks. More carbon = less frequent changes.

 

[goodguy]

I do not use carbon just another thing you need to check and replace

 

[xJake]

I don't use carbon. According to Jay Hemdal's book Advanced Marine Aquarium Techniques running GAC has shown a strong connection with HLLE. Apparently the theory is that dust particles from carbon become lodged into the fish's skin and can potentially cause lesions leading to HLLE. I don't see much advantage to running carbon vs. other, more effective, chemical filtration media and I definitely don't want to risk my fish battling with HLLE.

 

[psteeleb]

advanced aquarist Jan and Feb edition ran the study one GAC's effective lifespan

I run it 24/7, mainly to keep household polutants in check, just in case

 

[fatdaddy]

I change my carbon when I notice my water getting yellow. I figure that there is no sense in being aggressive about it because many think that carbon is harmful.

 

[Mako]

Once a month for about 2/3 days.

 

[gary faulkner]

Run 24/7, Change monthly, use 1/2 cup per 50 gal.