should i fluidize activated carbon

[hippolad]

As per title, should I fluidize activated carbon. I've read about a correlation between activated carbon and lateral line erosion. I would imagine that fluidizing it would exasperate the problem. Would it be better to just put it in a perforated bag in a high flow area? Your help would be very welcome.

 

[Hats_]

Never fluidize carbon, it will break down into dust and cloud your entire tank.

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

I agree with Hats. Additionally, you want to maximize contact between the water and the carbon - when you fluidize a carbon bed you are essentially providing channels for the water to pass through the bed with minimal contact with the carbon.

Russ

 

[AlexandraDreadlocksPanda]

As said by the two above, NO.

 

[hippolad]

Thanks guys, perforated bag it is then :)

 

[X-37B]

Good advice above. Also use a quality carbon like rox. Much less fines when you wash it.

 

[jackson6745]

I bought some ROX .08 but always used larger sized carbon. My concern with this tiny stuff in a mesh bag is the inability for water to pass through. The mesh bag to hold this stuff is so fine that air gets trapped in it. I highly doubt it's making very good contact with water.

 

[X-37B]

I bought some ROX .08 but always used larger sized carbon. My concern with this tiny stuff in a mesh bag is the inability for water to pass through. The mesh bag to hold this stuff is so fine that air gets trapped in it. I highly doubt it's making very good contact with water.

I use the old sock from a chemipure jar. I have used it in the sump with no issues. A small reactor is better for contact time.
In smaller systems a reactor is not an option and carbon in a bag works fine from my 30+ years of doing so.

 

[hippolad]

Thanks again, I think that's where I was getting confused. Was researching the best way to run activated carbon and some were saying run it in a reactor but I suppose it was in bags in the reactor. I've placed my bag in the sump in flow from overflow from main tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks guys, perforated bag it is then :)

You can also use it in a reactor, just not tumbling.