Lifespan of carbon in tank?
- Thread starter arowfan
- Start date
I believe it's only a couple months. Maybe 6 months max? I've completely stopped running carbon for just that reason.
I think its more so relative to how much it is absorbing from the tank. Once it is exhausted, thats it, and i don't think it is so much a time thing as it is the amount of inorganic/organics the carbon has in the setup to absorb. I could be wrong. I'm basing this on some things i have seen on MFK about carbon, so please don't flame me if i'm way off
the lifespan is probably a month or so in terms of what is actually being adsorbed.
think of carbon as a golf ball. each dimple is a binding site for organics to bind. eventually all the spots are full. at that point, the carbon can no longer adsorb additional meds/colour compounds etc.
contrary to myth, it does NOT release these compounds back into the water. they are held in place electrostatically.
I use carbon but never change it unless I am using medication then I change it. so in my tanks, the carbon bag accomplishes two things:
1. acts as a substrate for bacteria to colonize
2. acts as a great mechanical filter for fine particles as the bag gets dirty.
I do rinse it when filter changing though.
think of carbon as a golf ball. each dimple is a binding site for organics to bind. eventually all the spots are full. at that point, the carbon can no longer adsorb additional meds/colour compounds etc.
contrary to myth, it does NOT release these compounds back into the water. they are held in place electrostatically.
I use carbon but never change it unless I am using medication then I change it. so in my tanks, the carbon bag accomplishes two things:
1. acts as a substrate for bacteria to colonize
2. acts as a great mechanical filter for fine particles as the bag gets dirty.
I do rinse it when filter changing though.
nice...just curious cause I was adding MarOxy to my 150 gal tank, but didn't take out the carbon-its been in there for a good 5-6months at most I think and its seen a decent amount of fish stocking...
was curious to know if I just wasted the MarOxy what do you guys think?
was curious to know if I just wasted the MarOxy what do you guys think?