Activated Carbon Use

[matrixnyc]

Activated Carbon Use

By, Tom Miller

Protein skimming has been very popular for removing organics and coloring from saltwater aquariums. There is an other option if you don't want to protein skim as much. Activated carbon is a great resource for removing organic mater and reducing water coloring without pulling out excessive trace elements, whether you protein skim or not. Activated carbon has often received bad press and been accused of removing excess trace elements and for other problems, including lateral line erosion, which it does not seem to cause. It can actually be used continually (in reasonable amounts) without problems, as many reef aquarists will attest to. I recommend using it in a simple nylon mesh drawstring filter bag. I put this in a medium to medium-fast water flow in a hang-on filter. Water is not forced through it. This way it does not get clogged so quickly with particles as it does when your really force water flow though it in a canister filter. It also acts more slowly in this more passive filtration setting, but that is a good thing in my opinion! This is gentle yet efficient and long lasting.

I use a half cup of activated carbon per 50 gallons of tank volume and change it about every other week, if needed. Color that has previously accumulated in the aquarium water clears out more gradually this unforced way, instead of happening in just an hour or two when forced which may cause shock to some corals if a lot of carbon is used at once and water forced through it very quickly. Fresh carbon does pull out iodide/iodine, but after a day or two in the aquarium it continues to keep the water color free but not affect the iodide level much at all after that point in time. Iodide is also rapidly depleted from our tanks from protein skimming and other natural causes. Trace elements are rapidly depleted from strong protein skimming also. Don't let this alarm you though, since it can be added back cheaply and easily when desired in any case. Plankton on the other hand may another mater when it comes to easily replacing it when strong protein skimming is employed. Activated carbon needs to be rinsed well before adding it to your aquarium for filtration. Don't forget to do regular water changes in your aquarium also.

[emillard05]

you may be somewhat correct in your hailing of activated carbon, but running it continually is not the way to go. One week on and 3 off is the best way to go. Contrary to your post, it does lead to lateral line erosion in tangs, angels, and groupers. The key to your assumpptions is that you aren't running all of your tank water accross it. Really beware of this stuff. Yeah its great for clear water, but at what price????

[tangwang]

you may be somewhat correct in your hailing of activated carbon, but running it continually is not the way to go. One week on and 3 off is the best way to go. Contrary to your post, it does lead to lateral line erosion in tangs, angels, and groupers. The key to your assumpptions is that you aren't running all of your tank water accross it. Really beware of this stuff. Yeah its great for clear water, but at what price????


I, along with others, disagree for the most part, and always use carbon in my tank. I do change the carbon every week or so, and only use the highest quality of carbon available. This hasn't failed me for many years, and, respectively, I would be interested in seeing any relavent evidence backing up your theory against carbon. :D

Matt

[Urchin]

I agree to using carbon, i have been using carbon for more then 2 yrs.

I use seachems and it has never let me down. Also moderate using is

great too :D

[Fishmonger]

I use carbon in all three of my tanks, and so does everyone i know around here, don't need anyone else to tell me if it works or not, i know it does

[Sandworm]

For those of you using carbon, do you also run yours skimmers (if you have them) 24/7???

[tangwang]

Indeed, I use both, 24/7, and, personally, wouldn't cahnge a thing. I've never had any ill effects from doing so.

Matt

[aconfino]

Use carbon...

It's cheap, effective, and used in major public aquariums around the country (for those that think they are smarter than the rest of us).

[nanocat]

I'd like to see the sources of your assertion that HHLE is caused by carbon.

[Travis]

I run carbon and the skimmer 24/7.

I have done a LOT of research on HLLE and haven't yet seen a claim that HLLE could be caused by carbon use. I would also be interested to hear more about this.

[Hohihahihahoho]

Use Sera carbon and skimmer 24/7 too. The carbon is in the sump for almost 4 months now. The guy from LFS told me to replace Sera Super Activ Filter Carbon about every six months. Is it a good idea to wait until six months? I realize under this topic, people changed carbon quite frequently.

So far my Sailfin Tang, Yellow Tang, Blue Tang, Powder Blue Tang and Naso Tang are ok. Their are getting fat everyday ... eating through my lunch money soon. :lol:

[bmb527]

I have used carbon in every tank I have ever had,( well over 20 tanks)since I started in this hobby, almost 30 years. Fresh or salt, fish only or reef, carbon is the way to go. Never heard of it causing or contributing to anything! Except clean, clear water of course. Plus if that was the case, wouldn't using RO/DI water be bad also, it uses at least one stage of activated carbon in filtering water.
Bill

[ICUQT13]

Any brands of carbon better to use than others ?

[DonR]

Hi guys... I too run carbon 24/7 to no ill effect. However, I DO add Kent brand Essential elements once in awhile and make sure to change water often. I DON'T change carbon that often tho. I've read that it tends to strip the elements more quickly if you change it too often... and I don't put it into a pressure flow situation. I simply use it as a prefilter in my bio sump setup. And please make sure to use a good grade carbon! It lasts so much longer!

[tangwang]

I prefer Kent activated carbon. There are alot of good ones out there. To tell if you've got a good quality carbon, listen to it while you pre-rinse it. If it "sizzles", then its pretty strong, but if you hear nothing, it is weak.

Matt

[hounddog]

From advice here I used carbon for the first time in my reef. After 3 days my water was crystal clear. I was impressed. I have removed it for a week and the water is still clear. I put it directly in the water flow. My question is would I be better to just put it in my sump and run it all the time or run it in the water flow a few days a month?

[MTReefer]

I've kept FO tanks for around ten years or so... I have run Carbon and the skimmer 24/7 in all my tanks and have not had any trouble with my Tangs and HLLE. I use ESV carbon...sizzles like it's on fire after you rinse it. Carbon's the way to go IMO.

[BITEYAHARD]

I didn't read the entire first post but where and how do you place the carbon? In the sump, in a bag?

[joanadam]

You can place it where the polishing sponge goes or if you have a polishing sponge you can put it in front of it.

[flyboydave]

Hi guys... I too run carbon 24/7 to no ill effect. However, I DO add Kent brand Essential elements once in awhile and make sure to change water often. I DON'T change carbon that often tho. I've read that it tends to strip the elements more quickly if you change it too often... and I don't put it into a pressure flow situation. I simply use it as a prefilter in my bio sump setup. And please make sure to use a good grade carbon! It lasts so much longer!

Is there some problem with pressure flow across carbon? My sump pump runs into a Magnum 350 canister filter before it goes back through the spray bar into the main tank. It's very convenient because I have quick-connect valves on all the lines, and I can switch the canister filter from carbon to nitrate/phosphate absorbers, or use it to vacuum the tank bottom in just a few minutes. I had some elevated phosphate levels, and the carbon really pulled all the green tinge out of the water in a hurry. Another benefit to having the carbon the last thing in line after the filter is that it seems to last longer as the incoming water is much cleaner.

[stony]

I use carbon and a great skimmer I have no probs.



~stony~