how to run charcoal in a tlf 150 reactor

[damtrees420]

I got a two little fishies 150 reactor with some carbon im looking to run it for a bit to clear up my water in some of my tanks what is the best way and how much with what kinda of flow that sort of thing as bought used so has nothing with it i have plenty of the fx5 charcoal is this stuff any good please and thanks sean

[christyf5]

you can run it right in the reactor or put it in a mesh bag. Be sure to use both the sponges that came with the TLF reactor, one at the bottom and the other at the top (on top of the red plate). If you're using the fx5 media without a filter bag, be sure to run the reactor at a fairly low flow so as not to agitate the carbon. This brand, I believe, is carbon shards and by agitating them too much they create a fine "powder" that can get into your tank and cause problems. Run just enough flow so that you can't see the carbon moving. Personally, I'd use a small filter bag in the reactor or use a pelletized carbon. I used a maxijet 600 on my reactors.