General Care Discussion :: My filter spits out carbon dust

[Boston_Zhao]

I have a Whisper 30i, but it spits out fine carbon dust, I have to use water vacuum to clean every couple of days, will this harm my turtles? and BTW, how do I know when to replace the carbon and the filter bag?

[flutterby]

Did you rinse the carbon before putting it into your filter?

[Jessica313]

i was gonna say that too. you need to rinse the carbon in the sink before you put it in .. otherwise, what you said is exactly what happens! i wouldnt worry TOO much about it.. it should stop once it rinses itsself

[industrial_girl_2000]

You just have to rinse the carbon before you use it in your tank.

The carbon is not harmful to your turtle.

[Andrew7769]

it is full when the water starts overflowing from around the intake tube

[Boston_Zhao]

But its been for two weeks, even after I change the water twice, the carbon is till coming out, I thought something wrong with the filter, then I realized the filter was structurally too simple to be faulty.......maybe the carbon problem......
As long as it doesnt hurt the turtles, I just clean it everyday....

[Boston_Zhao]

again, how do I know when to replace the carbon and the filter bag?

[Jessica313]

i usually replace it about once a month... but i dont really think there is a sure way to know...

EDIT: i didnt see andrew already posted when you know how its full

[cam722]

If you don't rinse the carbon properly, you could have carbon dust for quite some time coming out with the water.. I'd take it out and rinse it throughly and then try it again.

[Andrew7769]

it needs to be replaced when there is alot of water comming out from around the intake tube but usally you can clean it and use it for another week or 2...if you dont loike icky turtle goo you can just put another in

[grey goose]

Assuming this is prepackaged carbon, let it soak for about 20 min. then rinse it well under tap water and work the granules with your fingers until the water runs clear. this should release any dust that's caused from shipping, plus soaking will help get rid of any air that's released when carbon gets wet. Carbon will lose its usefulness after about a month.

[scripta_elegans]

It can take a LONG time. I think I rinsed the last one for about 30 minutes before it was clear. I had the same problem with the first carbon bag I put in, and it was that I didn't rinse it well enough.

[grey goose]

That's another reason to go with a canister filter. The prepackeged carbon is usually too fine (a lot of dust). With a canister filter, you can add as little or as much as you need. I think I use an 8 micron bag to hold it. It might be a bit more expensive, but it is much easier to set up.
This is the stuff I use:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... carbon365l

[steve]

Hey grey goose, how many gallons do you have in your tank again?

[grey goose]

The new one is a 90 gal. The one they are in now is (I think) a 65 gal. Its borrowed from work.....