Carbon or no Carbon??

[gmjonesjr]

Hey guys, quick question, I have a 14 gal Biocube and I am not currently running the carbon filter because my LFS told me not to. I would like to get a concensus on what everyone thinks about this. Should I run it or not? I am relatively new to the saltwater world and I want to trust this guy but for some reason it's not adding up to me. let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

[sabbath]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

I run carbon 24/7. I run a mixed reef and use it to help remove toxins, the corals give out.

 

[luke33]

Been running carbon 24/7 for yrs. I run it to polish the water and just in case any coral gives off some nasty toxin.

 

[cardking]

carbon yes use it all the time

 

[kdblove_99]

Also use it 24/7

 

[mattT5]

24/7 for me as well

 

[pjf]

If you are interested in reading about carbon, here's a couple of recent articles with references to more articles:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/1/aafeature1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/aafeature1

To make a long story short, the more often you change your water and the more effectively you skim, the less carbon you will need.

 

[nnn614]

I too run carbon 24/7. The one time I ran out for a couple weeks the water definately seemed to have lost some clarity.

 

[gmjonesjr]

Thanks for al the replies, I went and got a bag of Chemi-Pure and put it in third chamber of my Bio-Cube. I'll see how it goes. I'm going to a new LFS since the guy I bought my tank from was not as knowledgable as I originally thought, plus he's like 20 miles away and out in Cali thats a $15 ride for me!! Gotta love it. Anyway, thanks again for helping the newbie!!