Carbon question

When using carbon, does water have to flow through it or can it simply sit in the sump? I have pads and pellets. Can I just leave a filter sock in the sump with carbon pellets or is this essentially useless. I currently have a pad in one of the sump baffles, so that water is drawn pass it as it goes through the return pump, but would much rather just hang a sock full of pellets in the sump. The pellets are much cheaper than the pads and much easier to use. As always thanks for the advice and help.

 

I put mine where it will get a flow through it. IMPO it doesnt work as well with out a flow through it.

 

Your best bet is to use the mesh bags and place on top of the bubble trap sponge (or other media that may be there). The water will gently pass through the bag there. The bag (pouch) must be entirely under water.

 

The best way is in a canister filter or reactor to get the most water passing through the media.

 

Thanks guys, that was pretty much what I thought too.