Do I Really Need GAC

mluntz

New member
I've been running GAC in a canister filter to keep my water clear. I also run GFO and a protein skimmer. Is it really necessary to run the GAC in the canister filter or can I ditch it or only run it when necessary?
 
you most certainly dont have to run it 24/7...most only run it to polish water or remove meds and such.. if your water is clear. you can run it when needed...
 
I use it 24/7/365 and have for over 25 years. It is especially helpful in mixed reefs like most if us have to help with Allelopathy.
 
I use it 24/7/365 and have for over 25 years. It is especially helpful in mixed reefs like most if us have to help with Allelopathy.

Man as far as reefing has come there are still so many things we are clueless to as of now, hopefully we will one day know all of the various factors that come into play in systems like ours.
 
I stopped for a few months and just recently felt that my water wasn't sparkling like it used to. Put it back online last night. I'll know later today if it was indeed the lack of GAC that caused the change.
 
You can just run the carbon when you think it's necessary. That's fine.

FWIW, I had a mixed reef for about 9 years and never ran GAC or GFO. I was pretty diligent about doing weekly water changes though, (~20%) but everything seemed to worked out great.
 
Somebody please start an acronym thread for us new refers lol. I read some of these threads and I feel like in the room with a bunch servicemen lol
 
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