How long to run carbon?

[hubris007]

I'm running some carbon in a HOT magnum. How many days until it's either used up or bio filter is established (increasing nitrates, time to chuck it)?

[Ti]

nobody knows.
too many factors.
amount of carbon/gal
amount of organics absorbed.
I general people do 2 weeks if not more

[hubris007]

Really, that long? I thought we were talking days. good to know.

[MJAnderson]

1 month before changing for me.

[sneeyatch]

it may be too much, but i use black diamond (the regular size - don't know the exact size :rolleyes: ) anyway, i use 1/3 of that container and change it out on the first of the month. i use it in a magnum 350 canister on a 75 gallon mixed reef. i also change the filter sleeve / sock thing during that time too.

so far so good.

[Ti]

well if very little is used in a high organics system, it's possible a few days.

[Bebo77]

yeah once a month is average but again like Ti said if your tank is nasty you may exhaust the carbon sooner.

[sneeyatch]

yup - tank's pretty nasty right now - i just turkey basted everything :D