Adding carbon to your reef tank involves proper rinsing and strategic placement in an area with good water flow.
Adding activated carbon is a common and effective way to improve water clarity and remove dissolved organic compounds and toxins from your reef aquarium water. The process is straightforward and mainly involves preparing the carbon and placing it correctly in your filtration system.
Preparing the Carbon
Before adding activated carbon to your tank, it's crucial to rinse it thoroughly. This removes fine dust particles that can otherwise cloud your water.
- Place the activated carbon in a container or a fine mesh media bag.
- Rinse it under running fresh water (RO/DI water is ideal for reef tanks) until the water runs clear.
- Do not grind the carbon particles together during rinsing. Instead, gently turn the carbon over to ensure all surfaces are rinsed and dust is removed.
Placing Carbon in Your Tank
Once rinsed, the carbon needs to be placed where water can flow through it efficiently. Using a media bag is essential to contain the carbon particles and prevent them from scattering in your tank.
According to the provided reference, you should:
Place the rinsed carbon bag in your tank or sump in an area of high flow. In between baffles, inside your filter sock, or hanging next to your skimmer outlet are all good choices.
Here are common placement options:
- In the Sump:
- Between Baffles: If your sump has baffles, placing the carbon bag in a chamber where water flows through it is effective.
- Near the Skimmer Outlet: Placing the bag next to the outlet of your protein skimmer ensures that recently skimmed water passes through the carbon.
- In a Filter Sock: Some sumps are designed to hold filter socks; placing the carbon bag inside or alongside the sock can work if there's good flow.
- In the Display Tank (Less Common):
- Hang-On Back (HOB) Filter: If you use a HOB filter, place the carbon media bag in the filter's media chamber.
- Power Filter Outlet: In some setups, the bag can be positioned near the outlet of a power filter to catch exiting water.
Key Principle: Ensure water flows through the carbon media bag, not just around it. High flow is critical for the carbon to effectively adsorb impurities.
How Much Carbon to Use
The amount of carbon to use depends on the size of your tank and the type of carbon. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the product packaging as a starting point. Using too much carbon can sometimes strip beneficial trace elements from the water, while too little will be ineffective.
When to Replace Carbon
Activated carbon becomes saturated over time and loses its ability to adsorb. It's typically replaced every 2-4 weeks, but this can vary depending on stocking levels and tank conditions. When you notice a decrease in water clarity or an increase in odors, it's likely time for a change.
Properly preparing and placing activated carbon is a simple step that can significantly contribute to maintaining pristine water quality in your reef tank.
