Carbon amount and change schedule?

I have a canister filter that has only been running carbon only

I generally change the carbon out every month, I put a baggie full of it in, Its probably like 2 cups or so.

This is on my 220 tank.

How much carbon should I be running, and is changing it monthly too much or not enough.

Water params seem to be very stable, and I also run skimmer that is overrated for this tank.

 

Sounds like a reasonable amount. Change interval is recommended to be every two weeks so the carbon does not become biological filtration.

 

Carbon does only last about 2-3 weeks. The amount will depend on things like fish quantity, species, and feeding regiments. I generally like to run 1lb per 100g, and the double for tanks where we stock large predators or feed a lot.

 

wow... I use about a quarter that. What type of reactor do you use for those amounts?

I use about a half pound in my 210g. I change it every other week. I fill my brs duel reactor a little over half full on both sides. GFO in the first and GAC in the 2nd. Replace both every other week.

 

I do have to say that we are an aquarium maintenance company, so how are aquariums look is a major factor.

As far as reactors, we either use rena canisters, high pressure red sea canisters, or filter socks to house the carbon. I tend not to like "reactors". They're bulky, take too much time to upkeep and are a waste of mula. But thats just me ;p