Question about running carbon 24/7

[Kissfan79]

Hey guys....
As the title states....I have a question about running carbon 24/7. Won't running carbon all the time remove the trace elements and minerals that you want to keep in the tank? You can always suppliment but won't the carbon remove that as well? I got to thinking as I was reading the bottle of Kent Essential Elements suppliment I have. In the instructions there was a line about using it after running carbon. As always....thanks for the info.

Jim

 

[serpentman]

I have run carbon 24/7 with no harmfu side effects. However, the most important thing is to avoid shocking your system with it. High quality carbon removes organics quickly which results in clearer water. Sounds good right? The only catch is that clearer water means more light penetrates which can shock more sensitive corals.

 

[michaeldaly]

Regular water changes will replace any lost trace elements.

 

[DitchPlains2]

actually.......

actually.......

The true problem with carbon that I have experienced is a drop in PH. It seems to lower ph a lot and that will cause problems if done to quickly with too much fresh carbon at once. I use fluidized bed reactors for both phosphate removers and carbon, tends to avoid particles and that soot material ending up in my tank which happens regardles how many times I rinse it.

cheers
David

 

[rooroo]

I have the opposite reaction with carbon. It raised my pH. Well, I don't think the carbon really adjust the pH itself, but it may remove something that is helping keep the pH where it once was.

I do two 4 gallon water changes a week on my tank, so I don't worry about loss of trace elements. Plus I use about half the recommened dosage. Seems to work well.