How to check if Carbon is Working ?

[nagukush]

Hi Friends !

I hope all is well !

Just wanted to know if theres any way I can check if my activated carbon is still working or not - so that I can know if I need to replace it.

I got some carbon from a RO Water Equipment supplier (who sells stuff for human consumption) and I want to check if it works, so that I can use it in my Aquarium.

I guess putting in a drop of some colored aquarium medicine on the carbon should show it ? If yes, then in how much time should the color be cleared up ? Will a drop of medicine do ?

Kindly guide me...
Thanks and Regards
Kush

[JadeIceGreen]

"Since activated carbon has a limited adsorption capacity, it should be replaced every two weeks as a general rule to maintain its effectiveness"

All credit to http://www.aquajournal.net/na/basics/basics_04.html