Running carbon?

[jwoyshnar]

Hello all. I havea 90 gallon mixed reef tank. Everything was doing great. I have kept sps in there with t5 bulbs and the few that i had are doing great. I recently started using a carbon reactor with regular carbon in it to combat any warfare that might happen. Since doing this the polyps have retracted in a few sps frags that i have. All parameters are good and this is the only thing i started to do recently.Should i stop using carbon? I see others using carbon without issue.
tHANKS
salinity 1.025
Nitrates undetectable
Phosphate .1
ph 8.3

 

[40+]

Ive been running carbon since day1. I do change it every 2 weeks. All SPS are fine. Good growth and colour.

 

[preef]

Starting to run too much carbon too fast can create issues. Better to just put a little in your reactor and slowly add to it until your system acclimates to the change. I had similar issues when I ran it in a reactor. Now I just put some in a sock in my sump.

I'd take a look at getting the phosphate down.

 

[jwoyshnar]

Thanks for the replies. I am only running half the amount of carbon then is suggested. Ill empty it outtonight and run half of the amount im running in there with minimal flow trrough it.

 

[JPMagyar]

Carbon.

Carbon.

The Berlin Method does not require carbon for success. It is true many reefers, including myself, use carbon, but it can and does remove both good and bad from your water so I would argue that unless you see discoloration or excessively dusty water I wouldn't use it as a regular part of your reef . . . just one more opinion :twitch:


Joe

 

[allsps40]

I run carbon and phos remover in a reactor. My water is always crystal clear and quality is great. All my sps are happy and grow fast.

 

[smoyer]

not all carbon is created equal....what brand are you using?

 

[mike810]

did u add carbon slowly i.e half the recommended amount then gradually build up ? or did you dump in the full amount from the get go? if its the ladder you might have shocked your system

 

[oscar.millan]

+1 on what brand. I run carbon constantly and switch out monthly.