How long should I keep a carbon bag in the filter housing?

[RedDevil83]

I was told three months by a specialist at a place called strictly fish and they seem really legit except for the attitude problem.

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[Delapool]

Depends on what it is used for I'd say.

For filtration I'd say around 2 to 3 months. Depends on filtration load I guess.

It's basically part of the bio-filter for me so never gets replaced unless removing meds.

A small soapbox complaint - now days carbon seems to come in small pellets which are ideal for slipping into the impeller. Yes, bagging is great but is that best for water through flow I wonder. My preference is for the more chunky carbon.

 

[jmats]

If it's just for filtration you will be able to tell when your carbon is old because your water will start to turn cloudy.


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[RedDevil83]

That makes a lot of sense on the water flow,I'll have to look at pellets next time I'm at my lfs thanks delapool

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[TMRC Exotics]

Unless you are running a chemical filtration alternative such as purigen then IMO you should always be running carbon and replacing it monthly. If you have a different chemical filtration (such as purigen) then I would only use it during disease treatment, if your not running purigen some sort of chemical filtration should be applied, be it or carbon or other alternatives.

 

[RedDevil83]

Carbon bag I have is good for three months according to the owner of strictly fish in longbeach ca, when I do a water change I always replace the filter and put good bacteria in the filter housing. Never had a fish die from the way I do it, just fish in the past killing each other :/

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[TMRC Exotics]

1) to my knowledge carbons life is only around 30 days in aquarium filtration, maybe some lasts longer but I would be skeptical of 3 months.

I also wouldn't feel great about that method of changing media. Your losing all the BB on the floss that holds the carbon.. you can cut into cartridges and replace just the carbon. Your filter likely has a separate bio filter housing location as well but I would still fear a mini cycle from losing the bb on the floss.

 

[RedDevil83]

I usually don't clean the very bottom of the housing unless its too filthy as I'm told a lot of it is essential, I used to take my fish out when I first started so I've come a long way and I'm getting it piece by piece. I have my carbon between filters in the second bin at the end of the flow, is that good placement? Thanks tmrc

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[RedDevil83]

Didn't want to release too much carbon so I thought that would be a good method to minimize it

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