Does activated carbon remove DOC's?

jerseyguy1996 · 01-21-2007, 10:17 PM

I have an AquaC Urchin skimmer running on a 50 gallon aquarium with a 20L sump. It was skimming out about 1/2 cup of really foul smelling stuff per day. About 2 days ago I added about 1/2 a cup of activated carbon to the sump in a bag and now the skimmer isn't skimming anything. Does the activated carbon remove the DOC's leaving nothing for the skimmer to skim?

pledosophy · 01-21-2007, 10:44 PM

Wiskey · 01-21-2007, 10:52 PM

It does remove DOC's, but not enough for that result. It may be oils or something on the bag that's effecting the skimmer.

Whiskey

Loverotties · 01-21-2007, 11:01 PM

I agree with Whiskey!

VolitanFF · 01-22-2007, 01:01 AM

I really dont think an aquarium could be clean enough for a skimmer to not produce anything.. I would say if the skimmer isnt producing then something is wrong with either the skimmer or like others have said there is a substance in the water that isnt allowing foam to be created.

I had one of these skimmers and it was finicky.. honestly I can say my Modified sea-clone (needle wheel) produces way more skimmate then the urchin did.. maybe trying cleaning the skimmer up and see if that helps?

VolitanFF · 01-22-2007, 01:04 AM

Oh.. and I also use carbon in my HOB filters and it doesnt effect how my skimmer works.. I get a cup full of tea-colored stuff everyday.

jerseyguy1996 · 01-22-2007, 07:35 AM

Thanks everyone for the responses. I had been rearranging things in the aquarium and had my arm submerged in it for an extended period of time. Would the oils from my skin have that much of an effect on the skimmer production?

Wiskey · 01-22-2007, 07:59 AM

Oils from my skin would knock down the head on my beckett for hours,... but not days. Something like new plumbing would knock it out for up to a week.

Whiskey

jerseyguy1996 · 01-22-2007, 08:53 AM

That must be it then. I replaced the J tube that was draining water down to my sump with a DIY weir style overflow box (new PVC tubing and all).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiskey

Oils from my skin would knock down the head on my beckett for hours,... but not days. Something like new plumbing would knock it out for up to a week.

Whiskey

Wiskey · 01-22-2007, 08:58 AM

Oh. Very cool

Glad you figured it out.

Whiskey