"Run carbon"?

[CindyK]

Hi RC,

I've seen the phrase "run carbon" in multiple threads. I just added my first corals....leathers...which I love but don't plan to overload my tank with them. I am hoping for an LPS dominated tank eventually. I know soft corals and LPS don't always get along, which leads me to the title.

I know there are multiple ways to "run carbon" to help mitigate the effects of the chemical warfare between the coral types. There are probably other benefits I'm not aware of. Can someone please explain the different ways to do it?

TIA,

Cindy

 

[Dkuhlmann]

All it is is to put carbon in a flow through bag specially made for it and then dump it in an area of flow. You don't have to have a carbon reactor.

You can give it a shot and see if things are better for you. There are also times when not to run carbon, just be aware of them. Mostly these are times when medicating, or treating for parasites with something like PraziPro. You can even put your carbon in the return box, this is where I put mine usually when I run carbon, and I've got a reactor but don't use it LOL.

Some fish don't do well with carbon and I'm pretty sure it's Tangs, but not positive. Someone may come along to verify that.

 

[mcgyvr]

1-place carbon in a mesh bag and place in an area that gets good flow..
2-run carbon in a reactor to "force" water through the carbon..

#2 is much more effective as you are forcing the water through the carbon and not just having water flow across/around it..

replace carbon monthly (or more)

Now some have softies/other coral and don't run carbon and have never had an issue
Its a crap shoot..

 

[billdogg]

I prefer to use a reactor because if it is in a bag even in a high flow area water will try its best to go around rather than through it.

Fwiw I have used carbon 24/7/365 for over 25 years and intend to continue the practice.

I use BRS carbon because it is a good product at a good price.

 

[joshbrookkate]

And rinse it well in tap water to remove the fines before placing in your tank.
I agree, a reactor is best. I run my reactor into a pail until the water runs clear.

 

[gone fishin]

I run carbon using a reactor myself. I use the BRS ROX 0.8 carbon. I change mine just prior to a WC, then fill and rinse the reactor into a bucket.

 

[CindyK]

Thank you for all of the replies. I don't think I need ot right now, just planning ahead.

For those that use a reactor, is it plumbed into the return line?

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[CindyK]

Also, what signs do you all look for that indicate the carbon is needed?

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[kevin21]

Sometimes, the sign could be something as simple as an odor coming from the tank. Carbon can take care of that. It can also be seeing unhappy LPS corals when softies are present. Some softies, such as leathers, can put all kinds of nasties in the water that LPS just don't like. Carbon can help clear some of that up.

 

[gone fishin]

Thank you for all of the replies. I don't think I need ot right now, just planning ahead.

For those that use a reactor, is it plumbed into the return line?

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I purchased a BRS reactor kit with out the pump, had a few in the ole closet LOL. My pump sits in the sump, used the supplied tubing to go into the quick connect fittings on the reactor. The outlet side has a quick connect that returns back to my sump. In addition the kit had a couple quick connect valves for isolating the reactor.

forgot to mention that I mounted the reactor on the wall above my sump. I'm getting older so I like ease of access and not being cramped under my stand.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Cindy, don't over think this. I had a 180g tank that was absolutely stuffed full of sps (60%), lps (30%) and softies (10%). Most of the lps were hammers, frogspawn and duncans, all the toxic slimmers. One hammer was the sixe of a socker ball with over 100 heads at one point before I fragged it down. I never ran carbon during the 6 years that tank ran (it sprang a leak recently). Even when corals get together, sometimes they do battle and sometimes they couldn't care less. I had a monti red cap that plated right around a pillar of blue ridge coral and they were both fine. Two months later the blue ridge coral was encrusting on the top of the red cap. No war, not even a fight. Other times they only need to get within 6" of each other and they will fight until one is killing the other. But all that had no effect on any other corals in the tank.

I think most people run carbon because it helps keep the water clear (rather than getting faintly yellow).

 

[A sea K]

You hear of a lot of people "dosing carbon", do not confuse that with "running carbon".
Dosing carbon is a technique used to feed bacteria within tank and is done by adding sugar or vodka (the most common sources for this purpose) while running carbon would refer to the use of GAC (granular activated carbon) which is what this thread is discussing.

I use GAC 24/7 in my current tank for several reasons. It helps alleviate the chemical warfare you mentioned between SPS/LPS and softies, removes tannins from the water which causes yellowing, and will also reduce odors from the water.

I use a cheap 2 little fishies brand reactor that is fed directly from my return pump.

 

[Sk8r]

I also find a ladies' kneehigh stocking (never used) a good use-and-toss carbon bag. In the water stream.

RE when to use it: you'll kinda know. We used to have a mystery leather coral (nobody could id it) that when ticked off would go from pink to purple, and when it was purple, nobody in the tank was happy: most corals would close. For one answer, yes, fix the alkalinity---that can tick them off; but once you get coral wars going on, carbon can keep it from becoming a circular argument, cycling round and round with the water.

 

[JMorris271]

To the OP. If I may please ask this question here as it is related to your topic.
How do you determine how much granular carbon into the bag for passive use?

 

[CindyK]

To the OP. If I may please ask this question here as it is related to your topic.
How do you determine how much granular carbon into the bag for passive use?

Thanks again to everyone for all of the help It is great to know what to look for, and what my options are if I ever need them

JMorris271, excellent question!

 

[gone fishin]

As far as how much carbon I tend to just fill up the reactor that I use. I believe BRS has a carbon calculator and I have seen a few others.

 

[sde1500]

The carbon I have, its not in front of me so can't say what it is, tells you how much to use. Something like 1/2 cup per 10 gallons.

 

[homerclease]

I agree.. great question.

 

[A sea K]

The carbon I have, its not in front of me so can't say what it is, tells you how much to use. Something like 1/2 cup per 10 gallons.

Wow, that seems like an awful lot of carbon. I use the ROX 0.8 carbon and 1/2 cup is enough for my 80 gal DT, approx 90gal total water volume.

 

[Hitch08]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator