Carbon or No Carbon?

[EmergencyRn]

I am confused. I am trying to decide if i should use carbon in my pico 2.5G AGA. I have read a couple of article that support the use of carbon in reefs. Then i read that some types of carbon are phosphate rich. Being that i have a pico reef i need really tight control on water condition.

I would like to have great water. I also understand that Chemi-pure is a type of carbon. Would i be better running Chemi-pure?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I use carbon in my 3g pico, no problems for me. You just have to make sure you keep changing it out so it doesnt start taking out trace elements and whatnot. Best way to be safe is change it like every 2 weeks.

And just be sure to get a good brand. Black diamond seems to be the popular one on here, and i also use that in my 3g.

Never ran chemi-pure, so i cant help you there...

 

[Kissfan79]

Do you run carbon all the time or just periodically to clean and polish the water? BTW....I have used Chemipure and it is a fantastic product.

Jim

 

[sir_dudeguy]

i run it all the time. Makes the water clearer, which in turn lets the light shine through the water easier.

 

[2fishy]

I run carbon 24/7, but that is only because I can't fit a protein skimmer on the tank. When we set it up it is less then 3 1/2" from the wall and to be able to hang it on the side would risk being damaged by one of our kids. I don't have a wet/dry for that same reason.

 

[XtrmCHoPZ]

Ive never had any problem with carbon in any of my tanks, and I will always use it. I like Marineland black diamond, its somewhat cheap and works great. Although there are many brands to choose from and some that are better than Marinelands carbon, but for the price its great. I also am an avid fan of chemi-pure! Its a fantastic product and I can honestly say it does what it says. Every time Ive used it, it clears up my water to very sparking. Its also about 300% more expensive at LFS, so get it over the net if u dont want to fork out a ton of $$$$ One shop where I live charges $19.99 for one unit!! Online you can find it for about $4.99-6.99 depending on where u shop.

What do u have for filtration right now? Id say if you have a power filter, run a unit of chemi pure and a Polyfilter in there and you should be ok, also live rock in the tank. Im probably saying stuff u know already but just wanted to point that out.