Carbon use

[SaltwaterAdict]

Who uses carbon in their sps tanks and what are the benefits of using it? Can it do harm if you add to much to your system at once like gfo? Is it really necessary to use if you're doing weekly/biweekly 10-20% water changes?

I also heard it could cause HLLE in tangs. I was thinking about putting it on to improve water clarity. What do you think?

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Anyone use carbon?

 

[SHADYreefer]

Who uses carbon in their sps tanks and what are the benefits of using it? Can it do harm if you add to much to your system at once like gfo? Is it really necessary to use if you're doing weekly/biweekly 10-20% water changes?

I also heard it could cause HLLE in tangs. I was thinking about putting it on to improve water clarity. What do you think?

I have read that it is primarily low quality carbon that has a major impact on causing HLLE. For example, the dusty carbon from Petco. If you stick with a high grade carbon you should be fine. I have recently started using BRS Rox 0.8. I have not noticed any huge affect on sps and my aquarium other than better water clarity.

 

[Alex T.]

I use carbon in my SPS tank. Since I aquascaped my 27" deep tank with a low rock profile, water clarity and light penetration at depth for my clams and SPS is paramount. I tried ROX but actually had a very bad reaction in the tank from using it as others have reported as well. It's so efficient that it can strip the tank pretty fast. I switched to BRS Lignite and all is well. Aside from the dust particles if not rinsed, I don't see any major harm from using medium grade carbon. For me, it's more of water polish than anything else.

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

I have read that it is primarily low quality carbon that has a major impact on causing HLLE. For example, the dusty carbon from Petco. If you stick with a high grade carbon you should be fine. I have recently started using BRS Rox 0.8. I have not noticed any huge affect on sps and my aquarium other than better water clarity.

Good to know. Was just reading a couple threads and definitely got me concerned! thanks

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

I use carbon in my SPS tank. Since I aquascaped my 27" deep tank with a low rock profile, water clarity and light penetration at depth for my clams and SPS is paramount. I tried ROX but actually had a very bad reaction in the tank from using it as others have reported as well. It's so efficient that it can strip the tank pretty fast. I switched to BRS Lignite and all is well. Aside from the dust particles if not rinsed, I don't see any major harm from using medium grade carbon. For me, it's more of water polish than anything else.

Good advise. I hear you about get the most out of the light for clams/lps near the bottom. :thumbsup: I'll be incorporating it now for sure. I have lignite and like the size as well. Do you think the lignite should be added in small portions like you would gfo until you reach the full amount? I had a bad experience with adding too much gfo at once and shocked the system. thanks for your help!!

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

How much lignite carbon would you recommend for a 180 gallon?

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

I usually run carbon for 3 weeks and then take it offline for a week.

 

[SHADYreefer]

I usually run carbon for 3 weeks and then take it offline for a week.

seems like a good plan!

 

[SHADYreefer]

Good to know. Was just reading a couple threads and definitely got me concerned! thanks

Glad I could help. I am sure your tank will do great with lignite carbon.

 

[SHADYreefer]

How much lignite carbon would you recommend for a 180 gallon?

here is a calculator on BRS just to give you a second opinion http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-calculator#CarbonCalculator

 

[batt600]

I use carbon 24/7 and us ROX with no problems

 

[TreyK]

I run carbon 24/7, not ROX though. In a ULNS ROX is too agressive.

 

[sanchoy]

BRS Rox all day for me. SPS is fine. No HLLE at all here.

 

[jc-reef]

I run carbon 24/7 I purchased from The Filter Guys. Its a very clean, high quality GAC with no need to pre-rinse...just place in tank. I think Boomer over in the Chemistry forum has posted that a rule of thumb is about 1 Cup per 100g volume of water per month. As others said BRS has good GAC too.

I personally use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup a week sandwiched in a filter pad that gets changed out weekly. Helps keep water nice and polished and any chemical warfare at bay (I run SPS mixed with LPS & some leathers). And no HLLE for me either.


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[Alex T.]

A run a teaspoon per 10 gallons of display volume (150 gallons = 15 teaspoons) in a reactor. I change it out at the beginning of every month.

 

[droth335]

I use carbon in my SPS tank. Since I aquascaped my 27" deep tank with a low rock profile, water clarity and light penetration at depth for my clams and SPS is paramount. I tried ROX but actually had a very bad reaction in the tank from using it as others have reported as well. It's so efficient that it can strip the tank pretty fast. I switched to BRS Lignite and all is well. Aside from the dust particles if not rinsed, I don't see any major harm from using medium grade carbon. For me, it's more of water polish than anything else.

I also use BRS lignite 24x7 and do have some mild HLLE in my blue tang. That is the only downside I've experienced and not sure if due to the carbon or other reason(s).

 

[Alex T.]

I've never had HLLE in any of my tangs. About a year ago I started feeding New Life Spectrum Pellets exclusively and colors in my fish are noticeably more bright and vivid. I think just like a nutritional deficiency that affects human health, that this high quality pellet food meets the nutritional needs of even the most touchy fish. A friend of mine that was keeping a fish only tank full of angelfish, butterflies, tangs and Moorish Idol turned me on to this food a while back and I've been very happy with the results in my fishes' health and the fact that there's no mess or excess phosphate in the food. I can't positively say that it has increased coloration in corals, but friends have commented that my corals are much more colorful than before and the only thing I switched was feeding NLS pellets.