How to use Charcoal?

[Akito starwind]

Ok I have read the use of Charcoal in the tank can help with toxins and other stuff but whats the best way to use it? Is it the same Charcoal as in the filter pads in some filters? or something else? placement of it in the tank?

[rad3dad]

Yes, its the same as whats used in filter pads. There are better grades then others. And it needs changed out on a regular basis, or it can start to release what it has removed. It's best to use it where the water flow has to travel through it, without being able to channel around it.

[BLAKEJOHN]

The best way IMO is to run it through a media reactor(phospahate reactor) It needs low flow to work efficiently.

I made a chamber for my carbon for abount ten bucks at the hardware store and added a small pump (about 70-80gph). Then I bought a 2 lil fishies phosphate reactor so I cold run both medias together.
Here are some pics of the chamber I made.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll211/BLAKEJOHN2/filter/_MG_0001.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll211/BLAKEJOHN2/filter/_MG_0002.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll211/BLAKEJOHN2/filter/_MG_0003.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll211/BLAKEJOHN2/filter/_MG_0004.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll211/BLAKEJOHN2/filter/_MG_0006.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll211/BLAKEJOHN2/filter/_MG_0009.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll211/BLAKEJOHN2/filter/_MG_0015.jpg

[mg426]

I use a Two little fishes reactor to run my carbon, I use black Diamond carbon.

[JoeMomma]

We are not talking about straight charcoal that is used on a BBQ right? That stuff in will not work.

[WaterKeeper]

It will if you light it. :D

Hopefully we are talking activated carbon here. If so, the pads are OK but have a very limited lifetime, less than a week, and are more expensive than buying bulk carbon. I love BlakeJohn's setup, he must be a photographer ;). Another option is to place it in filter bags and place those in a canister filter. In that type of set-up I change it out every two weeks.

[WrinkleFreeZone]

In my house, a pair of panty hose with a run in them doesn't become a mask for a convenience store heist when I need diapers. (If you don't know the reference, see "Raising Arizona"). I know it's completely unsophisticated, but I run carbon in the wife's old pairs of them. Just cut a leg off, double it back on itself, fill it and knot it. It works like a charm. When it's time to change out the carbon, you can throw the whole thing away if you don't want to deal with cleaning it. If you don't mind washing it out, they last a long time.
-B

[WaterKeeper]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13738305#post13738305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WrinkleFreeZone
. When it's time to change out the carbon, you can throw the whole thing away if you don't want to deal with cleaning it. If you don't mind washing it out, they last a long time.
-B

Especially if you wife can't find a pair. What's that smell? Oh, we got some new live rock for our tank. :D

Works for me B. :thumbsup:

[_E_]

Carbon is a nice thing to have around. Carbon can remove toxins, clear yellowed water, and remove any offending tank smells. Carbon can be simply placed in a mesh bag in a high flow area of the sump, but this is not as efficient as running it in a reactor. Many aquarists use a phosban reactor with a powerhead for carbon or use an old unsed canister filter.

[Akito starwind]

thanks, now ill have to look into a set up.