Rinsing Carbon

[barjam]

So I switched to Black Diamond carbon because I heard it was pretty good, the problem is that it is impossible to rinse completely. I finally just stopped and called it good.

I don't run a reactor but don't those tumble the carbon a bit? Seems to me that tumble + black diamond would equal dumping carbon dust into the tank. Perhaps I am mistaken about the tumbling, can anyone shed light on this?

Thanks

 

[ServantSoldier]

I use black diamond in a bag. I have it in the high current entry area of my refugium. I rinse the carbon once in a container about 2x the bag size. When i'm done the rinsing water is really really black. When I put it in my fuge, I do see a few small particles released, but they disappear after a day. I've not had issues with the media myself and my clarity is good. Most reactors don't recommend the amount of flow that would cause the media to tumble, but in the case it would, I'm sure it would generate more particles released. I've been happy with the bag method. For what its worth, I also add a bit of phosban in the bag to to catch any phosphates released by the carbon. Good luck!

Happy reefin'

 

[barjam]

Oh yea, don't get me wrong I like the stuff... it can clear more yellow in 4 hours than the kent stuff could in 4 days.

 

[bureau13]

I use black diamond in a reactor, and I haven't seen any issues with dust. How much tumbling occurs is dependent on how fast the flow is, I actually keep it going faster than the phosban I use in a different reactor, but I haven't seen any problems.

jds

 

[vessxpress1]

I used to use Black Diamond but now I use Seachem Matrix. If you give the Matrix a try, you won't go back. It's larger, uniform pellets and when you hear how loud it sizzles when the water hits it, you'll be shocked. The stuff is really pourous.

I rinse the stuff in RO/DI because if you rinse under the tap, it starts to absorb everything out of your tap water before you even put it in the tank.

I cut an empty gallon jug in half, pour some RO water in it, put the carbon in a bag and then rinse it in the jug. Repeat 3 times and it's good. Then I throw it in my reactor with some Rowaphos.

 

[victor_c3]

I throw my carbon, phosphate removal media and some Seachem chemi-pure (nitrate removal media) all into my single phosphate reactor. I fill it up the top and put in a little filter floss to help pack/compress all of the stuff and don't worry about too much flow or media tumbling and disintigrating to dust.

Been running it like this for a while and so far no problems!

When I change the media, I do it during a water change. I just hook up my reactor to an extra pump and run the old water-change water through the reactor until it runs clear. It usually takes about 3 gallons.

 

[bureau13]

The main thing that concerns me about mixing media is that carbon is supposedly exhausted well before the phosban stuff.

jds

 

[BucNtears]

I'm wondering if instead of putting a bag of carbon in my sump if I could hook up my old magnum 350 canister filter?.I could run the intake and return lines into the sump.If I decide to do this does anyone see any harm with this idea??Also how long could i run the canister before changing the carbon out?
So what do you think?
Thanks

 

[BucNtears]

Any thoughts concerning using the above method ?

 

[sabbath]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10812613#post10812613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BucNtears
I'm wondering if instead of putting a bag of carbon in my sump if I could hook up my old magnum 350 canister filter?.I could run the intake and return lines into the sump.If I decide to do this does anyone see any harm with this idea??Also how long could i run the canister before changing the carbon out?
So what do you think?
Thanks

Many do this with the claim that it works great.

 

[bhdmc]

I been using ESV carbon due to its low ash and requires very little rising. The company is very close to my job, so it is easy to obtain their products.

 

[CruzinKim]

I bought a fine strainer just to rinse out carbon and when the water is almost clear, I place into a bag and it sits in the sump on top of a chamber with flow through passive water.

 

[BucNtears]

How often should I replace the carbon within the canister?
Thanks

 

[m2434]

I've never been able to compleatly rinse Black Diamond, there is always a little dust in the tank, but it gets filtered out quick.

 

[andrenym00]

Do you need carbon in a reef tank? I have just a skimmer and wet dry which i converted into a refugium. Nothing else, will my tank water stay clean with nothing to polish the water?

 

[woz9683]

I just put the carbon straight into the reactor, then run a couple gallons of RO water through it. I think that's just about the easiest way to rinse it. I haven't seen any dust come out of the reactor into the tank after using this method.

 

[andrenym00]

bump anyone have an answer to my question?

 

[gary faulkner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10819766#post10819766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andrenym00
bump anyone have an answer to my question?

Most people run carbon. Do a little searching and you will see why.

HTH

 

[Craig Lambert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10817263#post10817263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andrenym00
Do you need carbon in a reef tank? I have just a skimmer and wet dry which i converted into a refugium. Nothing else, will my tank water stay clean with nothing to polish the water?

You don't need to, but it is beneficial. It will make your water crystal clear. It can be run in a reactor or you can just put some in a mesh bag and rinse it before placing it in your sump. Black Diamond and Two Little fishies Hydrocarbon are the top Activated Carbons available.