Author Topic: carbon users (Read 2321 times)

Shep · « **on:** March 28, 2012, 13:57:38 »

I have a question for any carbon users out there...

I have an Eheim canister filter that I am going to use to polish up some water before I mix my it...after a trip to the LFS I am left wondering if I want to use generic carbon filter pads, or buy some carbon in a jar and look for some type of generic bag to put it in...any experience or ideas will be appreciated...

Shep

Sunny · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2012, 15:43:06 »

When I need it in the freshwater, I put it in a mesh bag in my canister. In my saltwater, I have it in a reactor. I buy it by the bulk. The mesh bags are inexpensive.

HUNGER · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2012, 17:42:19 »

Quote from: Sunny on March 28, 2012, 15:43:06

When I need it in the freshwater, I put it in a mesh bag in my canister. In my saltwater, I have it in a reactor. I buy it by the bulk. The mesh bags are inexpensive.

+1

The WuSue · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2012, 17:56:44 »

You might want to check bulk reef supply (they have a nice video on carbon) or anyone that carries ROX carbon. Not all carbon is created equally, some types specialize in larger paricles and some in smaller. Be sure to rinse it off before adding it to the water column, otherwise it's be worse off than it was before. I've found lose carbon in bags, reactors, etc to be a better bang or the buck, but to use short term to polish water it might just be easier to get a pad and call it a day....

Twizted1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2012, 18:06:23 »

Your best bet is to run bulk carbon in bags IMO. Your main goal is to remove the heavy metals, correct? That way you can find wich carbon does the job best for you & can get as big or little of a bag in your canister as you can or want. Carbon don't last forever so it will need to be replaced on a regular bases. So bulk carbon & reusable media bags are a little easier on the wallet in the long run. Just my 2 1/2 cents.

The WuSue · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2012, 18:34:26 »

Agreed. I was just offer up the merits of the alternate route, which is mostly ease of use.... How long are you planning on polishing the water before you add it to the tank?

Shep · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2012, 21:09:47 »

>>>How long are you planning on polishing the water before you add it to the tank?<<<

3-5 days probably...

you guys get your carbon and bags on line or locally?

thanks again for all the info...

Shep

Sunny · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2012, 23:15:39 »

I bought my carbon online. I think it was BRS. I got my mesh bags at Aquatics Specialist.

Shep · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2012, 08:05:42 »

great...thanks Sunny

Amstar · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2012, 10:17:10 »

is there an issue with running carbon 24/7? or should it only be used in cases such as Shep's to "polish" water

Wall_Tank · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2012, 10:48:28 »

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Just polishing water can be done periodically. I keep carbon on 24/7, just in case.

Just be sure that you have well rinsed carbon. Carbon dust landing on corals or fish is not good for them.

Shep · « **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2012, 23:28:36 »

some good info for sure...unfortunately/predictably, it leads me to another question...

I have purchased a couple of 4"x12" media bags, and a 22 oz container of Black Diamond carbon...initially I want to "polish" 60 gallons of well water to remove as much discoloration, odor, heavy metals and organic substances as will be possible by simply running it thru a canister filter filled with carbon...I am under no illusion that it will be RO water, but I have used this well water before with much success and never even went thru the trouble of polishing it...now that I have a canister filter setting around doing nothing and understand a little of the benefits, I figure, why not ? ... but I have no rule of thumb or idea how much carbon that will take, or how long carbon lasts in the filter, if the carbon should be pitched at the end of the week, or if it could continue to be used for another batch of water for top offs and water changes...

how much carbon would I need to put in my canister to run the water over it for say a week ? 1/2 of the 22 oz container ? $:-\$

at the end of the week, and my initial tank is full, is the carbon that was in my canister filter ready to be replaced with fresh carbon or should I expext it to maybe polish another 60 gallons or so ? $:-\$

thanx again for all the help, you guys are the best,

Shep

coral ranch · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2012, 14:53:34 »

When we initially set up our systems even our RO/DI unit did not do a sufficient job on our well water. The resins were being burned up about every 2 weeks because of the high tds. We had both our source water and finished RO/DI water tested and the heavy metals along silicates were still unacceptable. We added a iron filter wich takes out all heavy metals and the nasty smelling hydrogen sulfide. After we added the iron filter we started getting normal lifespans out of our resins and they were able to keep up with the removal of silicates, another problem in well water.I would be afraid that over a long period of time your heavy metals and overal tds would reach dangerouse levels. As far as the silicates go you may be looking at an algae problem also.
As a side note I was also using carbon.

Shep · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2012, 09:27:03 »

yeah, I have grudgingly come to the conclusion that I am going back to a FO tank as for as long as I live here...I kept FO tanks for more than 15 years on this well water but it isn't going to be sufficient for any kind of corals...

kattz · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2012, 11:22:05 »

Shep, why don't you run down to Lowe's and investigate a whole house filter system? We were on a well for several years in North Carolina with the same isse, and after living there for 3 months, I installed the filter and it cleaned things right up re: iron and other nasties. We didn't have a reef tank, but this system will remove iron and some silicates.

Shep · « **Reply #15 on:** April 10, 2012, 08:07:18 »

that's a possibility Kattz, we are currently looking to get a new softner anyway...but I am also considering shelving the whole project now due to water quality issues...standing on the edge and I'm not sure which side I am going to fall on yet...

Twizted1 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2012, 08:28:07 »

My well water does. Of appear to affect my tank. Mikki on here has the same water I have & she has had a tank set up for some time now. She has. Corals & everything. I just started in feb but I have a couple pieces of coral that are doing ok so far. The worst part of well water is the heavy metal. Carbon seems to clear that up pretty good. My worst fight is alk being really high in my water but with smaller water changes I can control that pretty easy in the tank. Of course the choice is yours to make. I'm just letting you know what I have delt with so far.

rploaded · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2012, 11:06:22 »

What's everyone's incoming waters tds?

Mine is at 245-270

That's after my softener where I run duracube iron out.

The WuSue · « **Reply #18 on:** April 11, 2012, 07:58:04 »

We decided to go the Kold Steril route for our well water and absolutely love it (once we got the kinks figured out). Now we don't have to dose as much for alk.

Twizted1 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 11, 2012, 08:22:08 »

Never tested tds, & my alk was high when I 1st set up my tank. I bybass my softener when it comes to water for my tank. I'm not sure how salt softened water would be in time for the tank. So far carbon is my friend. I run all the water that goes in the tank thru carbon for @ least 5 days before it gets used.

Shep · « **Reply #20 on:** April 11, 2012, 09:58:25 »

I am gonna give your method a shot twizted, thanks for the info...

The WuSue · « **Reply #21 on:** April 11, 2012, 10:56:54 »

The salt becomes a brine solution that rinses the media in the water softener. It doesn't actually clean the water with salt. If your water is worse coming out of the softener then you probably have the same problem I had, the media inside the softener has gone bad. We found that out when we realized that we had ammonia in our water but not straight from the well.

Boonjob · « **Reply #22 on:** April 11, 2012, 11:19:51 »

Yep, check the resin in your softner, You can buy bulk bags of it.

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Author Topic: carbon users (Read 2321 times)