When to change carbon?

[realest]

Hello,

I am currently running carbon in my 55gal tank along with a 24gal refugium. I was wondering, how often do i need to change my carbon?

Thanks for any inputs!!

[vr697getta]

i change mine every 3 weeks to a month
works out pretty good for me

[realest]

I guess 3 weeks it is!! Sounds like a winner to me

[Konadog]

It's easy to remember if you change it out with every water change (if you do them monthly).

[BangkokMatt]

I recently put a thread up about this as there are many different responses. IMO 3 weeks sounds ok if the quality of carbon you are using is good. Anyway - here is the thread.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1220859

[joeychitwood]

How are you circulating water through the carbon? Is it in a bag in the fuge or in a canister filter? I've found that the carbon container in my HOB canister starts to plug up with detritus before the carbon is exhausted. I change it monthly. In fact, I need to do it today!

[albatross666]

Hi

How can we tell when the carbon is exhausted? Or when the effectiveness of the carbon is going downhill?

I have recebtly used the "quick filter" attachment of my aquaclear 50 powerheads to run with carbon for a few days and then am chucking the carbon.

Thanks

[dsn112]

I run mine through a canister, is once a month good?

[joeychitwood]

A month should be fine assuming your carbon canister does not get clogged.

[bpd964]

I change it out every 2 weeks.. That's what works for me based on my small bi-load..