polarbear Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 OK well I have started running carbon and phos guard in my 29 gallon biocube. Its been in there for about 3 weeks. My questions are, how much carbon should I be running in this size tank? I currently have about a tennis ball size in there. Also, do I need to rinse the carbon and phos guard media bags ever so often? I have noticed that they are collecting a lot of nasty stuff on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I've used both a bag as well as a media reactor on my 24G with external sump/refugium. When I used the bag I had about as much as you are saying. I was not very impressed with the results. When I switched to the media reactor I was though. Almost overnight difference with the same amount of carbon if not less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Well keep in mind that most sources say that carbon and phosguard are depleted very rapidly and therefore they should be replaced weekly. Don't rinse, replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshman1204 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 can you run too much carbon? I have a two little fishies reactor full of carbon on my 24G. The changes in just the first day were amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 I think you can run too much carbon. If it sucks out all the organics and other goodies, what will the coral and bacteria feed on? Then again, maybe you just want clean water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atxryan Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 what was the visible change in 24 hrs. Water clarity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Probably water clarity and a reduction in micro-debri. It is not recommended to run your media reactor fully loaded. I recall them saying with the 2little fishies reactors to use about a cup of media. One reason that I would not run a full reactor on a 24g tank is that the carbon may last longer however detritus will get caught in between the carbon pellets and then begin breaking down. Same as an unattended canister filter. Best bet is to run a cup and change it out every week. That way your carbon will always be fresh and your media reactor won't turn into a nitrate bomb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 The difference was in water clarity/yellowing compounds. And mike is totally right. After my initial experiment I have been running about 2/3 cup carbon to 1/3 cup GFO and switching out every week in the reactor. Also, it is in line after a filter sock in so debris can't get into it. Seems to have the best mix. It is a task I tend to get lazy on but I definitely remember to do it if I start to see some water color change or some extra algae growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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