What are the Pros and Cons to run carbon 24/7?
- Thread starter jfingers8
- Start date
WillWork4Frag
In Memoriam
I run carbon 24/7. I think for me it helps clear the water and is almost a preventive step just in case the water chemistry changes. Maybe others can chime in.
DarkXerox
New member
That's a great article. I agree with MrKite24, you definitely want to change it out. Here is a couple articles that go over how long the carbon may last in your system:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/1/aafeature1/view?searchterm=
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/aafeature1/view?searchterm=
I used carbon for years, then stopped for 2 due to the old wives tales of "it leaches trace elements" or "it doesn't do anything" got the better of my jugement. Then my scientific side saw the study in those articles and since then, a few sick corals I had have recovered.
Ding2daDong
New member
I always run carbon 24/7. It may not last a few weeks but that's how long I usually use it before replacing it. Never heard of negative effects of using it for too long.
-Matthew
-Matthew
gofor100
New member
Did any of you slowly acclimate your existing livestock (specifically SPS) to the use of carbon (maybe start off with less and add more carbon over several days)? I've heard that some people had their corals shocked from the added clarity (and in turn increased light penetration).
undertai
Active member
I have been running it for about 6 years and my tank does better with it than without. I couple of time I have ran phosban or another phosphate remover. And my water is not as clear and sometimes my corals will start to RTN. Go back to carbon and water is clear and corals open up more. Best carbons I have used are the pellet carbons. EX Brightwell Aquatics, Seachem Reef Cardbon, and so on.
eddie holland
New member
i run carbon 24/7 and all is well
121
Member
Bio fouling can quickly reduce the effectiveness of GAC. I'm refering to the bacterial slime that coats surfaces in your aquarium. You can feel it if you touch your aquarium glass on the inside. With that being said, changing a smaller amount of GAC every 3 days would remove more organics than a bulk load sitting in your tank for 4-6 weeks.
If you divide the amount of GAC you would use for a month into 3 day portions you will remove more organics with more stability. Replacing a months worth of bio fouled GAC (that was coated in slime after the first 3 days of use) with a months worth of fresh carbon will strip the organics too fast and possibly trigger RTN.
If you divide the amount of GAC you would use for a month into 3 day portions you will remove more organics with more stability. Replacing a months worth of bio fouled GAC (that was coated in slime after the first 3 days of use) with a months worth of fresh carbon will strip the organics too fast and possibly trigger RTN.
121
Member
I forgot to add..
If you just add the GAC to a mesh bag and hang it in the sump, it makes it easier to change the media every 3 days. I always have another bag of GAC ready to swap. I let the bio fouled bag dry out for 2 days as its easier to empty out the old GAC that way. Then I rinse off the detritus off the bag in RO and refill if with fresh GAC. HTH someone
If you just add the GAC to a mesh bag and hang it in the sump, it makes it easier to change the media every 3 days. I always have another bag of GAC ready to swap. I let the bio fouled bag dry out for 2 days as its easier to empty out the old GAC that way. Then I rinse off the detritus off the bag in RO and refill if with fresh GAC. HTH someone
Ding2daDong
New member
I forgot to add..
If you just add the GAC to a mesh bag and hang it in the sump, it makes it easier to change the media every 3 days. I always have another bag of GAC ready to swap. I let the bio fouled bag dry out for 2 days as its easier to empty out the old GAC that way. Then I rinse off the detritus off the bag in RO and refill if with fresh GAC. HTH someone
Great advice. Always had trouble clearing out the bag without getting pieces of carbon falling all over my kitchen.
Thanks
-Matthew
