Carbon

[IUfan]

I stopped using GFO about 8 months ago, ever since my SPS has been doing great and super healthy.

I carried on using carbon in a reactor. Well recently, I didn't change out my carbon for 8 weeks. Everything was fine, I then changed out my carbon last week and suddenly I have RTN on a bunch of my sps.

So did my carbon get exhausted after week 4, and then my corals just get used to the higher nutrients and then when I installed new carbon it absorbed the nutrients too quickly and shocked my SPS?

Thoughts?

 

[IUfan]

I was having this issue with GFO, wasn't changing routinely enough and the rapid reduction in PO4 was shocking my corals and causin RTN. That's why I stopped using GFO.

 

[IUfan]

I dose vinegar, have mangroves and also ATS. Maybe I can just stop using Carbon all together? Might keep params more stable?

Just wondered if anyone else had this issue with RTN after renewing carbon?

And whether anyone else keeps SPS without using carbon & GFo

 

[bobssecrtsn]

I'm not a guru or anything but from experience carbon does something with the water making it clear? and in return it could have something to do with the par from your lighting.

 

[IUfan]

Good point. So maybe just reduce the lighting a bit?

 

[Bill Nye]

I would probably use half the recommended amount of carbon and lower light intensity till corals recover.

 

[sahin]

Rox GAC for example is known to cause issues if a large amount is used suddenly. Aside from increased light...I think a greater issue is if the GAC pulls nutrients/organic fast.

Are you using it in a reactor? How much did you use? Which GAC are you using?

 

[IUfan]

I was using ROX. In a reactor. I used about 5 cups.

What carbon is everyone using/recommend? I was having a similar thought with regards to ROX being too strong.

 

[IUfan]

Carbon

Right now it's just the very thin SPS that's being effected. I had a nice growing Red Dragon frag, and a frag of blue lagoon, these are the only 2 that showed signs of RTN/STN. So, not sure if that means anything.

 

[Pife]

I was using ROX. In a reactor. I used about 5 cups.

How big is your system?

 

[Bill Nye]

I use ROX carbon as well and don't run it in a reactor. ROX is pretty aggressive and IMO doesn't need to be in a reactor to be effective. Might be too effective in a reactor depending on your nutrient levels.

 

[kevin_e]

I ran into similar issues. I dumped the gfo and carbon. I'll use it if I'm ever experiencing clarity or nutrient issues, but I haven't.

I've gone KISS. I just use a skimmer and do 10% water changes every week or two.

 

[markalot]

I don't think carbon causes any unique problems, rapid change causes problems. If you don't change your carbon for 8 weeks and then add a very aggressive carbon to a reactor you will experience rapid change in both clarity (light levels) and organics.

In my opinion, anyway.

 

[Aquattro]

I think 5 cups is over doing it a bit Assuming you have a "normal" size tank, a cup or less would be good. I use about 1/2 cup once a month or so with about 110g total volume.

 

[IUfan]

I don't think carbon causes any unique problems, rapid change causes problems. If you don't change your carbon for 8 weeks and then add a very aggressive carbon to a reactor you will experience rapid change in both clarity (light levels) and organics.

In my opinion, anyway.

System is about 220 total volume. Agree with all the above.

Now I wonder:

Do I stop using Carbon completely?

Do I change Carbon brand?

Do I just stick to a stricter schedule of carbon replacement, say 4 weeks, and also lower light levels slightly.

Any suggestions.

 

[JB NY]

That is a lot of ROX carbon, I use about 1/2 cup per 100 gallons with regular carbon, I would use 1/4 cup to 1/8 cup per 100 gallon with ROX.

 

[las]

I don't think carbon causes any unique problems, rapid change causes problems. If you don't change your carbon for 8 weeks and then add a very aggressive carbon to a reactor you will experience rapid change in both clarity (light levels) and organics.

In my opinion, anyway. [/QUOTE

Iufan- as u have stated, this is spot on. So ur corals were used to lower light levels and higher organics. Then there was a sudden change. So, I'd say raise ur lights at least 12" and take the carbon offline. Maybe add it back very slowly once they start recovering. Consider changing carbon every two weeks and using small amounts might be the best bet.

 

[IUfan]

Just for a visual of what happened. This happened in less than 5 days.

 

[las]

Damn... Sorry my friend

 

[nashorn]

I dose volka and no gfo or carbon. I notice my mostly sps system is more stable without either.
Any stn or rtn of your old school sps ?
Was that a pic of a dragon?