carbon removal

E

ejones4Christ

New member
I am setting up a 46 gallon reef tank, with lps and Sps coral. I was told that I should remove the carbon filters out of my canister filters(marineland 360) because the carbon is not good for reef tank is this true?
 
Yhe trick is to change the filters regularly so that organics do not accumulate there and break down.
Much like a filter sock.
 
my understanding on the subject is phosphates are released from carbon. i would stay away from carbon. i use chemi-pure (i think that is what it is called) i also think canisters are really for fresh water, get a skimmer in a sump, you will save time and stress.
 
I once read Bob Fenner say that he'd rather lose his skimmer than run without carbon. If he and Randy Holmes-Farley use carbon, you should probably consider using carbon! Of course, there is no single correct way, and you will find successful reef tanks that use it, and equally successful tanks that do not.

The thing is, if you put some in and let it sit in there for a month, it won't be doing you any good...and may be doing something bad. You have to change it out regularly (I'm not nearly as good with this as I should be).

jds
 
Re: carbon removal

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10049403#post10049403 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ejones4Christ
I am setting up a 46 gallon reef tank, with lps and Sps coral. I was told that I should remove the carbon filters out of my canister filters(marineland 360) because the carbon is not good for reef tank is this true?
Click to expand...

Where did you hear information like that? Carbon is very safe to use and can work wonders for removing organic compounds, coral toxins, and for general water polishing. I use Marineland Black Diamond carbon 24/7 in my tank. I change it out monthly. ;)
 
double check the phosphate issue. if you have phosphates in your tank this will prohibit coral growth and coraline. the better carbon brands state they do not release phosphates but i think all release some to an extent especially if they are old/used up. the stuff i mentioned is also good for 4-6 months. something to consider. good luck.
 
Phosphate from Carbon?

Phosphate from Carbon?

Randy Holmes-Farley stated that aquarium food is a far greater source of phosphate than carbon media (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...ight=little+AND+phosphate+AND+ppm#post9233845).

If you are concerned about phosphates leaching from carbon media, then place GFO and GAC together in the same reactor or canister. Randy mixes GFO with GAC (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8398497&highlight=350#post8398497) in a canister. I separate GFO and GAC with a sponge pad in a reactor. The water should flow through the GAC first to remove DOC.

You do not need a lot of GFO. Most GFO suppliers suggest a tablespoon of GFO for every 10 gallons of water in your system. GFO lasts longer than GAC.
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10054645#post10054645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveomori
my understanding on the subject is phosphates are released from carbon. i would stay away from carbon. i use chemi-pure (i think that is what it is called) i also think canisters are really for fresh water, get a skimmer in a sump, you will save time and stress.
Click to expand...

SOME brands of carbon release phosphates. There are several decent brands. The Two Little Fishies carbon is phosphate free.

There is no problem using a canister filter with a reef. However there is a question as to the proper flow rate through carbon to get the best results. I suggest lookin in the chem forum in a few days. Boomer has indicated that he will be posting some thoughts on that exact subject.
 
<<< my understanding on the subject is phosphates are released from carbon. i would stay away from carbon. i use chemi-pure (i think that is what it is called) >>>


Chemi Pure is simply carbon and absolutely useless resins (according to Boomer).
 
That is correct about Chemi Pure, it is mostly carbon, the stuff works petty well I should add. It has been around for years. I don't use it anymore because it's a bit pricey. I just use Seachem Matrix Carbon, changed bi-monthly. Carbon is exhausted fairly quickly, like in a few days.
 
Two months is a LONG time to leave carbon in. I would be concerned about it starting to grow nitrates and/or leach what is has absorbed...

Okay... so you mean TWICE a month or semi-monthly or bi-weekly :)

bi-yearly = every two years
bi-monthly = every two months
bi-weekly = every two weeks

In modern times the continual misuse of the words has prompted most definitions to be updated to reflect the misuse :) I guess "if you can't beat em', join em'"

Bean
 
Last edited:
If you are going to try and correct my English you better make sure you are right. Bi means "two" or "twice". Bimonthly can mean either twice a month or every two months. I thought my indication that carbon has a short life made it obvious what the intended meaning was. I guess the most proper way would have been to say semimonthly. There is really no unambiguous way to say it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10063049#post10063049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smatter
If you are going to try and correct my English you better make sure you are right. Bi means "two" or "twice". Bimonthly can mean either twice a month or every two months. I thought my indication that carbon has a short life made it obvious what the intended meaning was. I guess the most proper way would have been to say semimonthly. There is really no unambiguous way to say it.
Click to expand...

I was trying to make a funny... sorry that I did not do it better.

Yes your indication and the context made it clear that you meant twice a month :)

I also tried to show (obv not well) that it USED to mean every TWO MONTHS. It has just been in recent times that the dictionary definitions have changed to reflect the modern misconstrued meaning of TWICE MONTHLY.

So yes, NOW it DOES mean EITHER according to the respected dictionaries and common industry lingo.

You do not have to look very far back (or even at on OLD dictionary to see that the meaning has changed in moderm times)

Bi-centenial
fortnight --> bi-weekly Both were used for centuries to denote pay every 2 weeks (well we can get into the gory details of fortnight too... but that is beyond the point).

Just something kind of neat to think about and the progression (regression?) of language.


:)
 
Last edited:
Where else on the 'net can you learn about reefkeeping and grammer all on the same site? :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

newlifeolsen
Activated carbon in saltwater canister filters?
Replies
3
Views
567
griss
griss
sickman
Filtering out Chloramines in South East Florida
Replies
11
Views
287
griss
griss
B
  • Question Question
Soft Water
Replies
13
Views
583
wvned
wvned
T
I'm confused...
Replies
12
Views
639
wvned
wvned
sickman
Juwel Lido 200 - really reef tank ready all in one? Really Really?
2
Replies
39
Views
1K
Reefing102
Reefing102
Back
Top