PLEASE READ: What is wrong with Houston water?

[LordBarron7692]

Just a little curious but in theory you could make a carbon bottle out of a canister filter or maybe I'm looking at this in the wrong light?

[mistahoo]

Doesn't fish gallery sell these?

Do they?

[mistahoo]

Just a little curious but in theory you could make a carbon bottle out of a canister filter or maybe I'm looking at this in the wrong light?

Yes you can. It's been done. You'd have to drain it each time you use it to allow the carbon to air out and stay useful. Then fill it back up and prime it again. Too much of a hassle IMO. EK already put input on this.

Fyi carbon in you filtration system does not have the same effect and normally when you need it to work it's already exhausted

[mistahoo]

Instead of using a canister, you can use a reactor. There are ones made for carbon that most reefers use in their sw setups. Run the hose to a coupler for vinyl tubing to the reactor. Then run it to your tank. Then after you're done, drain the water.

[madugo]

Does anyone have a feeling that the water has got worse in the past 2-3 years? Personally i rarely got any problem 2-3 years ago and now water change seems like a hit or miss for people without a carbon snake..

[LordBarron7692]

that would be a good choice for those that have budget constraints but why would you have to drain it after each use?

[mistahoo]

that would be a good choice for those that have budget constraints but why would you have to drain it after each use?

If you don't drain it, the water sits and the usefulness of the carbon deteriorates exhausting the carbon faster. If you drain it, it airs out and lasts longer for when you need it (water changes).

[CRUSHER]

just don't do a wc after a big rain, that's when they pump alot of chlorine in

[mistahoo]

just don't do a wc after a big rain, that's when they pump alot of chlorine in

Chloramine, not chlorine. More potent to wipe out anything in the water and kills fish just as easily.

Sent from my spaceship using Tapatalk 2.

[ptran]

just don't do a wc after a big rain, that's when they pump alot of chlorine in

Sunny mentioned they also heavy dose the water during hot summer months. If i use storage tank water couple days old, does it help with Chlorine and Chloramine? Also, If I triple or quadruple the conditioner, does it kill the fish?

[johnnymisty]

If you don't drain it, the water sits and the usefulness of the carbon deteriorates exhausting the carbon faster. If you drain it, it airs out and lasts longer for when you need it (water changes).

Not sure since i dont have one but ive not heard of people draining the big carbon bottles

[SunnyHouTX]

Not sure since i dont have one but ive not heard of people draining the big carbon bottles

+1

[mistahoo]

Not sure since i dont have one but ive not heard of people draining the big carbon bottles

The big ones. Reactors come nowhere close to the size of the big carbon bottles. With the reduced amount of carbon it can hold, if you were to leave water in it, it'll only last you about a few months at best. You want it to filter the water only when you're doing a water change. Try leaving a media bag of carbon in a bucket of water. It'll be exhausted in a few weeks.

[aquabee]

I agree about the draining. That's why the DIY option is awesome. Steven, you should post some pics on that thread of the finished product. I had no idea how simple it was til Letta showed me the one you made.

And I have to agree with Panda, it does no good to say "you should have known" etc... Shoulda woulda coulda. I don't know how the water was here before, but I never had water issues with my tanks in California. So especially if you're not from the area or you have minimal experience with sucky water conditions, there's no way to ensure that you would have known to use a carbon bottle, no matter how much reading you do in advance.

[mistahoo]

It's so simple it takes only 15min or so. I have pictures of the final product on the DIY thread

Sent from my spaceship using Tapatalk 2.