Do you use carbon for sps tank

[tmb22]

Any downsides to carbon?

-Too much of it can cause acros to RTN. ROX carbon is particularly strong.
-It's not free.
-Should be replaced monthly.
-Forgetting to wash the dust fines away can cause problems.


Those are all pretty obvious though. Overall, there's not much downside to it!

 

[ClownNut]

2 cups every month, it runs after the GFO, then the water comes out pass 200,100 and 50 micron socks before heading to the skimmer, sump display then return pump.

 

[mikecc67548]

phosphate free carbon

as opposed to??? carbon w/ phosphates?

 

[glaukos]

according to the video from BRS, activated carbon is really only good for about 24 hrs when using it in a saltwater tank; then it's spent. What do you guys think about that?

interesting...
would love to learn some more about that

 

[sirreal63]

Actually if you think about that statement of theirs, it makes no sense. If there is a lot to absorb, it will be used up quicker than if there is very little to absorb. Their business is selling carbon, it is to their advantage to suggest that it is useless after 24 hours, but that is not something they can quantify because everyone's tank is different.

 

[glaukos]

yeah you have a point!
thanks sirreal

 

[Psionicdragon]

what is the supposed downside to carbon?

hlle

 

[hypnoj]

Actually if you think about that statement of theirs, it makes no sense. If there is a lot to absorb, it will be used up quicker than if there is very little to absorb. Their business is selling carbon, it is to their advantage to suggest that it is useless after 24 hours, but that is not something they can quantify because everyone's tank is different.

so you feel BRS is being dishonest about how long carbon lasts?

 

[sirreal63]

No but how do you quantify that? The life of carbon is dependent on how much it has to absorb. I think BRS is a great company and I have been buying from them since they started in business. But as in everything in life, you have to think about what any company may claim. In some cases it certainly may be used up in 24 hours so it isn't wrong but it isn't always right.

 

[hypnoj]

I agree with you, I would just love to find out how much this stuff can really absorb. Some tanks are cleaner then others, but some one has to have done a test that shows how quickly/slowly activated carbon gets consumed. The only one that I've seen test AC is BRS. Anyone know of any other non-anecdotal tests out there?

 

[tmb22]

I agree with you, I would just love to find out how much this stuff can really absorb. Some tanks are cleaner then others, but some one has to have done a test that shows how quickly/slowly activated carbon gets consumed. The only one that I've seen test AC is BRS. Anyone know of any other non-anecdotal tests out there?

I remember watching a video of BRS testing the different types of carbon they have to offer on their website. They cleared some type of pigment from the water in 24 hours, but I'd be interested in seeing what happens when they introduce the same pigment 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks later with running carbon through the reactor the whole time. I'd hazard a guess that carbon will be able to remove toxins from the water much longer than just a 24 hour period.

 

[turtlespd]

I always ran it since I was 8 years old. Nothing has exploded so I still run it today...28 years later, doh.

 

[sirreal63]

I agree with you, I would just love to find out how much this stuff can really absorb. Some tanks are cleaner then others, but some one has to have done a test that shows how quickly/slowly activated carbon gets consumed. The only one that I've seen test AC is BRS. Anyone know of any other non-anecdotal tests out there?

Maybe this will help...I wasn't able to look this up last night but this is the most indepth study I know of.
An interesting observation to emerge from these simulations is that, at least for the 100 gallon water volume/100 gm of HC2 case described by Table 5 and Figure 11, the GAC saturation times vary tremendously depending upon the clean/dirty state of the tank water. Under conditions of aggressive DOC removal (skimming, water changes, GAC use), the GAC charge should last over a month, but under more passive nutrient removal husbandry (no skimming? no frequent water changes?), the GAC charge will be depleted in just a few days.


Taken from here...
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/aafeature1

Part one of the series...
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/1/aafeature1

 

[Eric The Red]

Carbon for 10 years, just about every brand available but have been using Rox.08 for about 5 years and usually between 1/4 and 1/2 of BRS's recommended amount because it is a very aggressive carbon.

Please elaborate on this. I'm having issues with my tank and recently began running a full measure of ROX through a reactor. I thought it might be the root of my prob's. what is it stripping from the water that can cause the isues?
Thanks

I turned off the reactor today to see if my sticks respond better.

 

[sirreal63]

All GAC binds organics, this is a good thing but cam also be a bad thing. All of the years I used Balck Diamond I never had any issues wit my sps. Rox.08 is a super carbon for removing organics, and possibly trace elements in a ore aggressive manner an other carbon. I had a problem with sps losing color with the recommended amount of the Rox.08 and noted others having the same issue. After switching to a reduced amount coloration began to return.

I won't use any other carbon, but I don't have to use as much so it becomes more economical to use. It is a great carbon, no doubt but you may have to not rely on the people whose job it is to sell more of it to get the right amount to use.

 

[lolgranny]

All GAC binds organics, this is a good thing but cam also be a bad thing. All of the years I used Balck Diamond I never had any issues wit my sps. Rox.08 is a super carbon for removing organics, and possibly trace elements in a ore aggressive manner an other carbon. I had a problem with sps losing color with the recommended amount of the Rox.08 and noted others having the same issue. After switching to a reduced amount coloration began to return.

I won't use any other carbon, but I don't have to use as much so it becomes more economical to use. It is a great carbon, no doubt but you may have to not rely on the people whose job it is to sell more of it to get the right amount to use.

Same problem here, be cautious how much you use and start slow. It will take colors out of your sps quick if you shock them by using alot all the sudden

 

[Eric The Red]

Good to know. Thanks guys!