To Carbon or Not to Carbon

[hmspradlin]

Starting to put my system together and I'm new to saltwater. I've got a wet/dry sump, I've heard some people don't use carbon and some do. Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[CrazyEyes]

Carbon as in activated carbon or carbon dosing? I'm going to assume you mean activated carbon, I've used carbon in every tank I've ran.

 

[MJNTWise]

I stopped using it and I think my tank looks better. But I do change my filter socks every day.

 

[CrazyEyes]

Damn Matt I was just looking at your post and thinking I bet he is going to comment about that.

 

[risin]

I use it primarily for water clarity. It makes a noticeable difference on my tank.

I do not use filter socks; too much Hassle IMO.

 

[MJNTWise]

Damn Matt I was just looking at your post and thinking I bet he is going to comment about that.

lol...Yep....By the way looking forward seeing your leds finished.

 

[rfalvey89]

CHEERS...To CARBON !! :beer:

I would run it in a mesh bag , one week on & one week without.
any longer and it strips too many nutrients. IMO

 

[Egkid]

You can always try it out and see how it works for you. Simple enough to remove with no long term affects.

 

[rogergolf66]

CHEERS...To CARBON !! :beer:

I would run it in a mesh bag , one week on & one week without.
any longer and it strips too many nutrients. IMO

If u run it I agree and to be clear not in a reactor just a mesh bag

 

[aguila88psi]

I use 15tbsp of tlf carbon biweekly in a BRS reactor. No problems for me

 

[janes_mw]

carbon yes. If you run in reactor, run less than if running passively (mesh bag). I run 200 mL in mesh bag in sump and change monthly on a 120g. ROX can be pretty aggressive on SPS I have found. I have not had problems with Korallen Zucht, Brightwell Carbonit, or SeaChem Matrix. There was an issue a while ago with Kent and some other carbons (maybe Petco... but can't remember exactly which ones). If you run passively, "kneed" the bag every couple days to prevent channeling.

 

[bigzman]

Same here. Run it on mesh bag in fast flow area place ever month.

 

[ZeroBullChip]

Is there a problem with running in a reactor? If I run it, I run it in a reactor. I usually just fill the reactor with it so that there is no tumbling action.

 

[nitr8]

I use 1 cup in a BRS reactor with a 20gph pump. One month on, one month off.

 

[aguila88psi]

Is there a problem with running in a reactor? If I run it, I run it in a reactor. I usually just fill the reactor with it so that there is no tumbling action.

Don't know, mine sometimes tumbles and still don't have any issues.

 

[risin]

As I understand it, you don't want the carbon to move. If it does it can get pulverized; creating small particles that can get lodged in fish gills causing HLLE. Typically when in a reactor you pad it with sponges to keep it from moving. There is a video on BRS explains how to best put carbon in a reactor .