Carbon in the Reef
- Thread starter Patriot54
- Start date
AuroraDrvr
New member
As long as you don't run it 24/7/365 you will be fine.
Just run it for one or two weeks every month.
Just run it for one or two weeks every month.
hawkfish21
New member
I always ran carbon 24/7 and never had a problem.
AuroraDrvr
New member
Sorry, misread your original post a little.
Fish like Butterflies & Angels had reportedly been linked to developing HLLE from continual use of Carbon.
Also, Carbon (IMHO) strips out a lot of nutrients & trace elements in the water. Most of those being beneficial to Corals.
Will it directly affect corals? No.
Fish like Butterflies & Angels had reportedly been linked to developing HLLE from continual use of Carbon.
Also, Carbon (IMHO) strips out a lot of nutrients & trace elements in the water. Most of those being beneficial to Corals.
Will it directly affect corals? No.
Todd,
The initial work I've done indicates that it is carbon dust that can cause HLLE in some fish, not that it removes anything vital from the water for fish. In regards to carbon removing vital elements for corals, I don't have a firm opinion on that, but agree that it is probable.
My advice is to use a good grade of carbon (pelletized perhaps) rinse it very well before use, and only use it in tanks with protein skimmers (because skimmers are very effective at removing POC, including carbon dust).
Jay
The initial work I've done indicates that it is carbon dust that can cause HLLE in some fish, not that it removes anything vital from the water for fish. In regards to carbon removing vital elements for corals, I don't have a firm opinion on that, but agree that it is probable.
My advice is to use a good grade of carbon (pelletized perhaps) rinse it very well before use, and only use it in tanks with protein skimmers (because skimmers are very effective at removing POC, including carbon dust).
Jay
Jacob D
New member
Jay,
I don't rinse my carbon I just run the reactor effluent into a 100 micron sock, should I be concerned about smaller particles? I'm building up what will be a large fish and softy tank and I have always preferred to run carbon 24/7/365. I have not had issues in the past but there are also a lot of fish out there that I've never kept.
I don't rinse my carbon I just run the reactor effluent into a 100 micron sock, should I be concerned about smaller particles? I'm building up what will be a large fish and softy tank and I have always preferred to run carbon 24/7/365. I have not had issues in the past but there are also a lot of fish out there that I've never kept.
EdKruzel
Premium Member
Rinsing carbon is always wise if for no other reason than to keep your impellers clean. Using a filter sock will help, but I'd still rinse before use.
I find that using carbon 24/7 is fine as long as you have a regular schedule for replacing it. Even a quality carbon will leach nutrients back in the water after its "full" so to speak. I change mine every two weeks and my water stays pristine. I also run a skimmer in the evening.
I find that using carbon 24/7 is fine as long as you have a regular schedule for replacing it. Even a quality carbon will leach nutrients back in the water after its "full" so to speak. I change mine every two weeks and my water stays pristine. I also run a skimmer in the evening.
