I'm wondering what people's opinions/experience on this forum is regarding using activated carbon in a reef tank?
I've read all sorts of conflicting advice and opinions and am more than a bit confused on the topic. Some say it's good, because it removes toxins and organics in the water. Some say it's bad because it removes trace elements. Some use it all the time, some use sparingly, some use it not at all.
At the moment, I'm leaning towards using it sparingly, but I'd like more information on the subject. Preferably if there are actual tests people have done to verfiy the short and long-term effects of carbon.
I have used active carbon in my reef for a year continously and after a year have stopped using it completely and see no difference in my 120 gal reef. I would use it again if there was a sudden change in my corals health if there was chemical warefare going on, but everything is healthy in my reef without it!
Just my 2 cents
Cheers PowderBlueTang
Quote from: PowderBlueTang on August 11, 2006, 12:07:38 AM
I have used active carbon in my reef for a year continously and after a year have stopped using it completely and see no difference in my 120 gal reef. I would use it again if there was a sudden change in my corals health if there was chemical warefare going on, but everything is healthy in my reef without it!
Just my 2 cents
Cheers PowderBlueTang
I agree...I used charcoal for several months and stopped without seeing any notable difference in water quality. Always ready to put the charcoal canister on-line if required.
I have been running it in small ammounts changed every second week. Since I dont run a skimmer I need the carbon to help reduce organic compounds between water changes (10% bi weekly) If I had a skimmer I dont think I would need the carbon so much.
I think it's effective in small tanks where chemical warfare is taking place.
I know xenia can release compounds offensive to certain lps and when I notice them not opening up as much I use some carbon and they immediately perk up.
Also when using power compacts, the yellowing of the water would no doubt effect the light penetration and the carbon removes the yellowing.
Once again, the greater volume of water the more room for error.
this is the perfect thread for me...I have a 75 gallon and I am not running any carbon at all...I'm not seeing anything bad happening but I too was debating if I should have some carbon in there...so far with the replies I think I am safe :-)
So so far:
3 don't use it
1 uses it occationally
1 uses it all the time (but has no skimmer)
I think I'll stick with my plan of using it periodically (maybe every 2-3 months for a week tops).
IMO you may consider using AC:
- when you have softies that use chem warfare (as Julie mentioned);
- after mediaction
Generally speaking, if you can live without it - don't use it. It may accumulate a lot of bad stuf, but starts leaking it back very soon.
Regards
No meds imo,,,,,a recipe for disaster.
Also consider the phosphates in the carbon itself. Different brands work better.
I prefer the seachem matrix to marineland.
In salt there is no conserving carbon.
Quote from: Julie on August 14, 2006, 10:14:24 AM
No meds imo,,,,,a recipe for disaster.
You may find that AC is needed after Joice Juice (spellling) or Flatworms Exit, or some others, just because when Aiptasia and especially flatworms diing, they produce a lot of poison, that can be accumulated by AC...
Personnaly - prefer "biological weapons", that why not using carbon.
Is Joes kaulkwaser?
I have used Joes. These anemones are smart cookies. I was thinking meds as in a cyanobacteria cure.