Carbon - YES OR NO?

[johnfluevogs]

I set up a new custom 30g cube back in Aug. when I moved and I decided that I wanted to try to go without using carbon. I have run carbonless since then.

In December I was trying to figure out why I was having trouble keeping SPS and harder corals. I have a phosphate reactor and I decided to throw a small pouch of carbon in my sump. (one from a fluval filter ,new).

Up until then my two clams were doing great, it seems that ever since the addition of that carbon my one clam doesnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t fully open.

Was the sudden addition of carbon a bad move?

I no longer have the carbon in the sump.

Should i use carbon? What kind? and do I need to add it slowly at first?

A little advice would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

[finneganswake]

If you are going from no carbon to some carbon, it is a very good idea to start off slowly, as your tank's inhabitants will have grown used to the carbonless water. I think a good benchmark is using one cup per 50g; I'd add a quarter of that every two weeks until you get to the full amount.

In my opinion, carbon is an absolute necessity in a reef tank, primarily because it removes yellowing compounds that keep light from penetrating the water as well as it could. This could be why your clams closed up--they were suddenly getting much more light than they were used to.

 

[stingers81]

im not an expert but I dont see how pure carbon could be bad for the tank....all it does is absorb other organic materials....that is a good thing....i would slowly add a little bit of carbon and increase it with time.....one cup per 50g is a good amount

 

[BadRoma1]

yes to carbon. i love it.

 

[sherm71tank]

YES YES YES ! ! !

 

[stevedola]

no brainer...YEAH!

 

[StinkinTuna]

Yes- Carbon Goooood

 

[hookdonreefs]

never use carbon water couldnt be clearer and all my corals are doing great.

 

[onefin]

I use carbon 24/7, change it out once a month.

 

[finneganswake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6610469#post6610469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hookdonreefs
never use carbon water couldnt be clearer and all my corals are doing great.

Use carbon--trust me, they'll do much better

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

i use purigen instead of carbon

 

[Ironman]

I run carbon 24/7 in a canister filter (without the sponge) and replace it every two weeks. I use one tblsp per 10 gallons.

 

[hookdonreefs]

It isnt possible for mt corals to do better they are growing out of control. I keep mainly lps and they like more nutrients.

 

[integlikewhoa]

I hear mixed things on running it in a canister or putting it in a bag in your sump. Whats your guys take on this. (i have a pentair media chamber) I could run it threw there or in my sump, but which is better or does it not make a diff?

 

[finneganswake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6610550#post6610550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hookdonreefs
It isnt possible for mt corals to do better they are growing out of control. I keep mainly lps and they like more nutrients.

No they don't--they tolerate more nutrients. Big difference.

Either way, it's unlikely that they're making much use of the nutrients that carbon takes out.

 

[Sindjin]

Im skeptical of carbon because it removes trace elements like Iodine. Once in a while it could be good I suppose.

 

[finneganswake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6610551#post6610551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by integlikewhoa
I hear mixed things on running it in a canister or putting it in a bag in your sump. Whats your guys take on this. (i have a pentair media chamber) I could run it threw there or in my sump, but which is better or does it not make a diff?

Most people agree that it is better in a reef aquarium to use it passively in a sump. Carbon will take out a very small amount of trace elements if used in a sump; in a canister filter, the high waterflow will cause the carbon to strip the trace elements out at a much higher rate.

 

[hookdonreefs]

all corals feed by absorption some more than others. Brains hammers are found in turbid conditions in the ocean because they like them. Fox corals require less light and dont have feeding tentacles meaning they absorb nutrients from the water.

 

[sherm71tank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6610604#post6610604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hookdonreefs
all corals feed by absorption some more than others. Brains hammers are found in turbid conditions in the ocean because they like them. Fox corals require less light and dont have feeding tentacles meaning they absorb nutrients from the water.

That is odd. I thought they also benefit from plankton and mysis shrimp.

 

[DMK]

all carbon is not the same, and black dialmond is not really considered great carbon, like alot think. the right carbon in the right amount is great. alot crappy carbon is no good, better off w/ nothing.