Carbon is the question

[nano10]

I've been doing some rearranging of my tank today and reading on here, I'm about to do a water change and I realized that I havenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t been running carbon. I havenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t had any problems with my tank other then some Grape calerpa in the display and some aptasia. Should I start using it? What does it actually do for you?

 

[aural]

carbon is just used for chemical absorption of waste products. you will get mixed answers from everyone. some people swear by it - some have never used it and their tanks are doing beautifully.

I personlly run carbon in a reactor on my 75 gal reef tank and i run chemi-pure in my 20L and in my 12 gal Nano-Cube. Chemi-pure acts like carbon along with generating ions to help regulate pH levels.

should you start using it? that is totally up to you.

 

[Ti]

It never hurts to try it.

 

[chrismunn]

i ran corbon for about a year and a half, and then i stopped for about a year, and i started getting all sorts of algae.
i dont think there is any coralation between the carbon and algae, but if you keep toxic things in your tank, like parazoanthus polyps that excrete toxins like "palytoxin", it would be wise to use the carbon. these toxins can irritate other corals and fish, not to mention your skin (palytoxin, the toxin excreted by parazoanthus polyps, is one of the most potent and lethal toxins know to be created by a living organism) but the carbon does its part to absorb these unwanted toxins.
try it, couldnt hurt

 

[Ehgemus]

If your water looks a little yellow it will help that.

 

[nano10]

Its not cystal clear i can say that. I'm Going to try it and see what happens.

 

[Mishap]

I run a layered mix of carbon/phosban in my phosban-reactor. Only trick to that is finding fine carbon that will work in the fluidized bed chamber. (I ground up my own)

Hope this helps,
Matt