Running Carbon

[T4Stock]

Should carbon be run onstantly or periodically? If constantly, what is the life span of each carbon load?

 

[Mr Premnas]

From what I have heard most reefers do not run carbon consantly, but only use it to polish their water occasionally or when there is a mass spawning, something dies, or something poisons the tank. In the 5 years that I have run a reef, i have never used carbon although there is an old container of it under the tank in case of emergency.
As far as the lifespan is concerned, I think that it would greatly depend on your flow through the carbon as well as the amount of DOCs and other detritus in the water column. Is there a specific reason why you are asking, or is this just curiousity?

 

[esmithiii]

I run carbon once a month or every other month. I have read that after 48 hours, the carbon will have absorbed all that it can and should be removed. I remove mine after a day or so.

E

 

[canadawest]

I run carbon for a couple weeks per month, to help polish the water and remove toxins as well. As long as you use a quality activated carbon you should have no problems leaving it in for extended periods of time.

You can really tell the difference in water color when doing a water change after not having run carbon for a few weeks. Water seems to smell better too.