DIY Carbon Media Reactor

[Nico the Reefer]

I was interested in running some carbon in my 30 gallon system, but I've read that using carbon in a media reactor uses the media much more efficiently as opposed to just placing the media in a filter bag. I was thinking about adding some carbon into an old DI cartridge, since it makes for a nice reactor size with all of the media removed. I would then have a pump pass water through the cartridge with media and foam sponges to hold it in place.

Would this idea work?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[143MPCo]

I see no real reason why this would not work but, depending on the type of carbon and sponges being utilized you might have particle pass-through that would clog the exit 1/4" tubing. That's not a dead-line event just means you will have to check and clean the lines out to insure adequate flow.