Is carbon reusable?

[SeanT]

Hi Randy,
I was hoping for a few answers about carbon.
As of late, I have found myself at the point where I no longer do water changes as frequently.
The reason for this is that through preventive measures, hardware and husbandry practices I have much less nutrients floating about and I used to use water changes as a crutch.
So my weekly changes are now monthly.

I use NSW.
The way I used to do it was, go get it, drain sump, fill sump, heat and start pump.
Simple pimple.

I know that while NSW is awesome for having the correct proportions of elements in it, being free, and easy to get, its major flaws are pollutants, or at the VERY least the possibility of pollutants.

So my new plans are to get it, drain sump, heat it and while heating I plan on skimming it, using my GFO reactor and use carbon media.
I intend to use the carbon for no more than an hour or two at a time.

After allllll that here are my questions.

After I use the carbon for an hour or two is it OK to empty the filter, let the carbon dry and reuse it on the next water change?

If so how many times could I use it, estimated?

If there is a way to reuse carbon, pertaining to my circumstance, and my plan isn't going to work what would you recommend?

Thanks,
Sean

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, that would work just fine.

 

[SeanT]

Sweet.
Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Boomer]

After I use the carbon for an hour or two is it OK to empty the filter, let the carbon dry and reuse it on the next water change?

If so how many times could I use it, estimated?

I would rinse it first in a bag rotating it to remove as much as one can of trapped material. Also during the rinsing one can some what crush it a tad, this will expose new unused surface areas. You could use it about 10 times

 

[SeanT]

Awesome.
Merci Beaucoup.

 

[Dudester]

Hi Randy. I did a search and came upon this past thread. Thought I'd ask here since I would have started a new one with the exact same title.

I placed about a pound of carbon in my sump 1 week ago and removed it last night for a tank treatment (I'm using PraziPro against flatworms as they seem to be resistant to Flatworm eXit). Since the carbon was relatively new I hated to throw it out. So I rinsed it in tapwater and placed it out to dry in its filter bag. I was wondering if I could just replace this back into my sump once the 1 week treatment is over?

I know it's carbon and not diamonds, but I hate to be wasteful. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I was wondering if I could just replace this back into my sump once the 1 week treatment is over?

Yes. I'd give it another rinse before adding it, but then it should be good to go!

 

[Dudester]

Thanks a ton, Randy. You always have the answers. Maybe you have a remedy for flatworms, too?!
just kidding, I don't expect a response from that one

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The redish flatworms? I've used Salifert's flatworm exit for them.

You're welcome and good luck!

 

[rrome]

What is NSW?

Never mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Natural Sea Water).

It's too early :rolleye1: