Carbon Questions

[jherrin215]

I am wanting to know about carbon. Why and how?? Why do I need it and how do I need to use it?? I am setting up a 180 with a 30 gallon sump and a 30 gallon fuge. Thanks

 

[sabbath]

I use it to help make the water clearer.

It is also good at removing toxins from the corals wars.

 

[Playa-1]

You don't necessarily need to run it. Like Sabbath said it help to clear the water and it also filters out certain toxins and/or impurities. Some people run in full time, some people run in periodically and some people don't run it at all. The best way to run a media like carbon or phosphate media is to use a reactor.

 

[jherrin215]

So I could set ip up without it and then later add a reactor to use carbon. what about calcium?? Do i need to use it and if so can I use the same type of reactor??

 

[Playa-1]

Yes, you can set up without the carbon and add a reactor later if you decide that you need it. I believe a calcium reactor is a different type of reactor. You can use Kalk, a two part dosing system, or a Calcium Reactor for your Calcium supplements.
I suggest that you go into the chemistry forum on this web site and read the stickies. Lots of good info there on this subject.

 

[Aquarist007]

A phosban reactor to run carbon will cost you fifty dollars and well worth it for impurities that it can adsorb from the water besides a group of organics that cause yellowing of the water.
A calcium reactor will cost between 500 and 1000 dollars and you should really do as playa-1 said and see if you can meet your calcium and alkalinity needs with a two part dosing system for a while

 

[lloydkeller]

I put mine in a sock and put in sump works great

 

[cloak]

I don't use carbon. To me, it doesn't do anything that regular water changes can't take of.