Active Carbon And Spares

[darkfool58]

Hi Guys

Couple of questions

How do you tell if your active carbon is spent?

Also changing my bulb in tank and got me thinking what spares should i keep anyone got a list from there experiences they have had?

Thanks

Russ

 

[fluttermoth]

There's no way of telling by looking whether carbon is used up or not, but if it's been in the tank more than a week or two it will be, It's active life is about a week, although it does depend a bit on what it's absorbing.

As to spares. I have a spare filter (actually have a few from when I upgraded to externals) and spare heater; they're the essential ones. Tanks can go without lighting for a few days, even if you have plants, so I don't feel it's worth keeping spares for that.

 

[Chad]

+1
The only real way to know it needs changed is to get to know your tank really well. In my reef tank I can tell by the clarity of the water and with some corals how they react to the decreased light intensity from the less clear water.

How long it lasts depends on how much of it you run, is it running in a reactor or just in a high flow area, what it's abosrbing, and even the kind of AC it is. What I use in my reef tank tends to last me 4 months in the reactor before I start to notice it needs changed.

Spares are always good to have in my opinion. I know people who have lost corals and other livestock because they weren't prepared. If you have a good local club you can get a way with it because there's often someone to get a spare from at a moment's notice, but if not it's best to have something ready. I agree that for most tanks lights aren't as vital as filtration or oxygenation.

 

[Mikey1]

How do you tell if your active carbon is spent?

the easiest way is to just not use it, there is no need for it, unless you are trying to get a medication out of the water,

i have over 20 tanks running, i have not used carbon in 15 years, no need for it

 

[Chad]

I used to think that way until I saw what it did for the clarity of the water in my reef tank. I never needed it in my smaller tanks because water changes were enough and more frequent. Now that I have 210 gallons the stuff really keeps the water clear. It also serves to keep the palytoxin from bothering the SPS colonies I have.

 

[darkfool58]

just read this and realised you guys say to replace it. is there any media that would be better than carbon that doesnt need changing as often?

 

[KirkyArcher]

If you like really clear water and I subscribe to fact that Carbon is beneficial to achieving it along with keeping odours down and absorbing some tank nasties! The next option is to use more filter floss in your filter but even that will clog up quite fast and need at best a good wringing out every two weeks, but it is cheaper option than replacing carbon at similar time intervals 

 

[Joshwainwright]

I'd say floss/wool too
 
It would still need replacing but not for say 6 months or so after it's been cleaned to the point of falling apart

 

[Zikofski]

i admit and agree with tcamos the water is so crystal clear as if there is no water in the tank at all but the cost of it out ways the benefits but you can always keep it in the filter and no replace it, from what i tested i kept mine in for months and it still kept the water crystal clear only when i took it out i noticed it change but it doesn't bother me that much i just replaced it with filter floss which dose a good job but not 100% as good at clearing the water as carbon

but for marine i can definatly see why you would want it the colours  and fish WOW i have not seen a marine tank as good yet all the LFS i see are dirty and not really good looking
 
EDIT i change my filter floss weekly to monthly depending on how coloured it is