Carbon use in sps tank

[Isladelmar]

Currently only using bio pellets in sps reef and I stop using carbon a year ago because I thought It was doing more harm than good .corals bleaching , not growing as fast id like . Could someone share there thoughts on this topic some that has a large reef larger than 200 gallons

 

[Oldude]

Currently only using bio pellets in sps reef and I stop using carbon a year ago because I thought It was doing more harm than good .corals bleaching , not growing as fast id like . Could someone share there thoughts on this topic some that has a large reef larger than 200 gallons

If you are running bio pellets aren't you in a sense still 'carbon dosing'?

 

[Isladelmar]

No bio pellets are just to add food for bacteria to help nitrate cycle

 

[evolutionZ]

carbon as in activated carbon? i used Rowacarbon in my tank and change it once every 3-4 weeks.

 

[dunk373]

I have used it a long time and feel it is important especially if you have a mixed reef. I have taken it off line or just got lazy and really only noticed foggy water. I haven't left it off long enough to really tell. If it just keeps the water clean that's enough for me.

 

[Peter Eichler]

No bio pellets are just to add food for bacteria to help nitrate cycle

No, they are essentially another form of carbon dosing.

 

[prior20]

It IS a form of carbon dosing and the carbon source IS a food for nitrifying bacteria. Activated carbon just absorbs chemicals (pollutants, toxins, etc) and is not in a form where bacteria can readily use it as an energy source.

 

[lanshark]

What is the purpose/objective of this thread?

 

[jgalen0025]

Currently only using bio pellets in sps reef and I stop using carbon a year ago because I thought It was doing more harm than good .corals bleaching , not growing as fast id like . Could someone share there thoughts on this topic some that has a large reef larger than 200 gallons

IE.. thoughts on carbon(GAC) and the actual benefits vs harm

Just a guess:reading:

 

[therman]

One "con". I did get to see the results of this study firsthand...and they were dramatic.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/activated-carbon-affirmed-as-causative-agent-for-hlle-disease

Personally, I have never been happy with the effects of carbon on my sps and other corals. They typically seem "off" whenever I run it. Totally anecdotal, but as a result I only run carbon if I absolutely have to, for removal of medication or similar.

 

[NastyZ]

Came across this what do you guys think

http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/does-a-reef-tank-need-carbon/

 

[Tek]

Came across this what do you guys think

http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/does-a-reef-tank-need-carbon/

Great read! I stopped using carbon for almost 2 years after something was causing a low nutrient issue with both of my SPS tanks. It happened at the same time on both tanks either due to overuse of carbon or GFO. I am using GFO again and so far no problems at half recommended amount. I will probably give carbon a try again at 1/4 recommended and work up from there.

 

[jda]

If you are talking about granular activated carbon, then it is fine and will help to polish the water.

If you are talking about organic carbon, then it can be either good, or bad. I think that it does more harm than good except when somebody who REALLY knows what they are doing is using it for a specific purpose. Putting it on a new tank so that you "never have a nutrient problem" inhibits the cycle from finishing and can cause more problems than it fixes. Your tank should eventually be able to handle the nitrate once the cycle is done (they whole cycle where anaerobic zones convert nitrate into N gas) and there are safer ways to get rid of phosphate (if you ever even have the issue).