Carbon in a sump

What's the best way to keep carbon in a sump? Put it in one of those bags and put in the return section of my sump? Right now I just have one of those Penguin filter panels that have carbon in them which I put in my baffle after the skimmer. This way it gets some mechanical filtration and carbon before it hits the return pump. Is this way OK too? Thanks.

 

I have my carbon in one of those media bags and I haven't had an issue with it yet. Its located in the chamber right before the return one. The water HAS to pass through it before it get to the return I'm probably going to add fresh stuff within the week since I had it in there while my tank was cycling.

 

+1 it should be in a bag so you are able to change it out

 

This is the way to do it. You CAN simply place a bag in the sump and point a powerhead at it to increase water flow through it, but it isn't as efficient as putting it in a spot where water must flow through it like Pet has done.

 

Its actually quiet nice I have it literally acrossed the entire gap so any water that goes to the return must pass through it. Quick, simple and efficent.

Thanks

 

Thanks much--I will look into those bags. Is there different types of carbon I should know about? What should I be looking for in carbon?

Is it replaced every 2 weeks or 4?

 

It depends all on your bioload. If its higher then 2 if less then 4. You can even look at it and if it looks very discolored then it needs to be changed as well. I use a bigger grain because I don't want it to escape the bag.

 

I've heard some people eliminate carbon altogether after 6 months or so. Any reason for that? Are they simply doing the Berlin method?

 

Some just don't like it or they are medicating for something. People who keep certain corals who like to chemical warfare will keep carbon so the toxins don't kill off the entire ecosystem.

 

I've never used carbon and I haven't had any real disasters, just little algae outbreaks. I keep thinking to myself I should start at least once a month to clean it up but never do. Maybe I will try this sump method though, it's cheaper than a reactor and easy.