Lets see those carbs! Err... Carbon set-ups!

[Electrobes]

So I know many of you out there use carbon to filter out the funk, the toxins, or the yellows so I thought it would be nice to have a thread to show those set-ups off. If you can describe your set-up, why you have it the way it is, what carbon you use, and have a pic that would be great! I'll start:

- I use a Phosban Reactor with a MJ-400 on a valve. It runs 24/7 and is just great because it forces the water through the carbon... not around it.

- I use Black Diamond carbon @ about 1/3 cup for my 40Br. I change it once every two weeks.

- I am sumpless so it sits on the back of the aquarium with my skimmer and Aquaclear 110.

- I love watching the carbon bits go up and down! I still need to adjust or redo the tubing for the powerhead to the reactor.. it's kinda just dangling outwardly into the tank... I want it straight and flush with the wall like the skimmer MJ is.

Here it is:

Lets see what y'all got out there

 

[ezhoops]

so how long do you have to wash the carbon for it to stop producing black water, I don't buy junk carbon but not the best. any ideas here

 

[Versus]

It shouldnt make the water black , you might get skimmate thats a lil black from it but it shouldnt be so dusty its turning your water black.

Anyway , dump it into a strainer and poor RO RO/DI water over it just till its soaked and you are done.

Do not wash it in tap water.


( id take a pic electrobes , but a baggy sitting in a sump isnt intresting heh )

 

[Ehgemus]

I just have my carbon in a filter sock.

 

[ezhoops]

I made a carbon reactor and when I push a decent amount of flow into it the water all came black, why is that?

is the carbon junk that I'm using? if so what carbon should I use Black diamond?

 

[lvreefer]

Electrobes,

I have a similar setup. I use a two TLF phos reactors. One with carbon and the other with phos remover.

 

[blange3]

I use a Fluval 204. It has 3 baskets and I change out 1 basket every 2 weeks. I take the bottom basket out, change the carbon out and put it back on top.

 

[Versus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8040328#post8040328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ezhoops
I made a carbon reactor and when I push a decent amount of flow into it the water all came black, why is that?

is the carbon junk that I'm using? if so what carbon should I use Black diamond?

ya , most carbons tell you ( good ones anyway ) how much flow should be going through them .. I use a mid grade 1048 ehiem pump for most of mine . ph plays a part also in it breaking down but its probably just the amount of flow you have going through it . How big is your reactor?

 

[ezhoops]

my reactor is a DIY gatorade bottle 32 oz LOL, seriously

 

[Ryanqk]

I keep a bag in my fluval 404 and a bag in the outside portion of my overflow box, change it every few weeks.
Ryan

 

[kabal2]

i run a Phosban Reactor with a small 404 power head, change carbon every month and i use around 1 cup

 

[king4345]

Easy home build system. I use 4 inch PVC with a cap on each end. I put barbs in both ends and use scrubbing sponges on both ends to keep the carbon inside. I use a small pump in the sump to push the water through the carbon. Change it out every other week.

 

[mander]

I also use a phos reactor and a MJ400, 24/7, about a cup for my 50G. I found this thread looking for better ways to run carbon, but it looks like this is pretty standard! The filter sock idea is interesting as well, I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Voltekker]

I have a 20 long and i dont run carbon right now. Atleast i dont think the small filter i have has it. I used to run carbon in my old 45 gallon i just had it in the wet dry in a sock. I bought some more this weekend though and i will be running it soon : )

 

[FallenElement]

this is something that i saw in the live rock tank at my LFS, he had drilled a whole in the black diamond cap, hooked up a maxijet or some other small pump and then connected those with some flex tubing. on the bottom of the black diamond container he drilled about 30-50 tiny wholes and just let the thing sit in the tub. i would be doing this exact same thing if i didnt run carbon in my filter or if i had a sump. just lay it right in the sump and then when you need to change the carbon, just unscrew the cap, change the bottle, and drills some holes in the new one. it was really a great idea.

 

[ezhoops]

Fallen element, that is exactly what my gatorade bottle does

 

[baller71ss]

I'm about to order a TLF phosban reactor. Can you mix the Phosban and Carbon in one reactor? Also, the MD website states a flow rate of 80-90 gph flow rate. I want to hook it up to the exhaust of my recirc skimmer, which will be around 150-200 gph. I can always install a "T" diverter, but an wondering if anyone runs a higher than suggested flow rate through the TLF 150???
I didn't mean to highjack this thread, how 'bout I post my setup when it's up and running!