tell me what you think please. I'm debating on going GFO + GAC or just GFO
http://wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_4/V4I2/carbon/artcarbon_comparisons.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_4/V4I2/carbon/artcarbon_comparisons.htm
Those who run carbon...
- Thread starter meintn
- Start date
TitansFan
Active member
I run GFO 24/7. I only run GAC for a few days at a time once a month. Alot depends on your situation. How many fish you keep, how often you do water changes, and what kind of corals you keep. My softies prefer a bit "dirtier" water. If I just kept SPS I would run them both as much as possible.
I see plenty of tanks though that run neither and look great. To me both are crutches for sometimes laziness on husbandry or a skimmer that lacks in performance.
I see plenty of tanks though that run neither and look great. To me both are crutches for sometimes laziness on husbandry or a skimmer that lacks in performance.
haha, valid points. I do have a decently stocked tank as far as fish go and do a 10% water change 2-3 times monthly. Corals I keep most zoas and LPS so they are decently tolerant of water parameters. I will run the GFO but I've seen debates over the effectiveness of carbon and if it leaches phosphates back into the tank itself.
NeveSSL
Got tubes?
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14429892#post14429892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitansFan
...
To me both are crutches for sometimes laziness on husbandry or a skimmer that lacks in performance.
I have to confess that this would be part of my reason for purchasing a reactor... my laziness and my skimmer!
Brandon
cee, that's the first I've seen this.. Can you elaborate? GFO is simply a ferric salt. Not really anything else in it AFAIK?
Perhaps this is a way to reactivate phosphate saturated gfo after use?
For carbon, I don't have a clue. I just rinse and load. (and I got algae everywhere
).
Perhaps this is a way to reactivate phosphate saturated gfo after use?
For carbon, I don't have a clue. I just rinse and load. (and I got algae everywhere
).Angela Short
New member
Also wondering why to soak it in hot water ...I have read to rinse it in RO so as not to use up some of the carbon with tap water junk but wonder why a hot water soak, to open pores and leach any residual processing junk? ....
Enquiring minds would like to know.
Enquiring minds would like to know
.
sal-t-dawg
Registered Nut Job
I use panty hose......and carbon I had heard that carbon will leach phos. if it isnt changed once in a while. I have had pretty good luck with it so far.
I had heard that carbon will leach phos. if it isnt changed once in a while. I have had pretty good luck with it so far.Carbon will release the toxins it catches if it over staurates, which is why it is good practice to change it. I run carbon on and off with great results. I run it 203 weeks and then remove it. if the water quality becomes a little heavy on Nitrates I'll add it, or when the water gets that old look and a little yellow. Changing/cleaning finishing media (mesh) will help you reduce the need in my experience, and keep the water polished.
fallinapart
Premium Member
WOW 203 weeks, well that should save money on carbon Me? I change it after 3 weeks
fallinapart
Premium Member
Yes, I feel your pain, I think the right & left sides of my brain get confused and forget what they are to control.....
cee
New member
Hot water "penetrates" the carbon better and expells the air trapped in the pores much more quickly than room temp. water. RODI water provides a "sink" for any residual phosphate in the carbon. Not so critical for GFO but I find it removes the "dust" quicker. All carbons have phosphate in them arising from the fact that all carbons are produced from once living organisms, be it coal, wood, coconut, etc. The mods may remove it, but here is a link with interesting info on carbons http://www.hallman.org/filter/carbon.html
Dave
Dave
Angela Short
New member
Ah, thanks for clearing that up Dave! I bookmarked the link and it seems like a good bit of info.
Someone on our forum did a lot of reaserch on carbon....was it c_stowers? I just remember his reaserch saying seachem was in his opinion one of the best so I just always bought it.
Someone on our forum did a lot of reaserch on carbon....was it c_stowers? I just remember his reaserch saying seachem was in his opinion one of the best so I just always bought it
.Here's a decent article that compares decoloring efficiency vs costs of various carbons available in the trade. Keep in mind all of these articles in this thread are > 10 yr old. I've not found a detailed contemporary study.
http://www.pets-warehouse.com/carbon.htm
http://www.pets-warehouse.com/carbon.htm
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