Filtration Method Questions

[bk_market]

My tank is setup with just the main display+ a simple holding tank sump with skimmer inside.

 

I heard people talking about running activated carbon and other method. I think I need to start adding things like that to improve water quality and all.

Can someone educate me about what and example where to buy these carbon? and where to place them in my sump? Do i just throw them inside my sump? how are they set up? Anything else i should consider looking to setup for the longterm health of my tank? Thanx

 

PS. Is this the same as putting a filter sock in my sump?

Edited October 16, 2007 by bk_market

[jason the filter freak]

 

 

PS. Is this the same as putting a filter sock in my sump?

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Not even close to carbon, a sock removes particulate. Carbon is a chemical that is active that to ions which will polish your water. Ask Dan about his reverse flow reactors

[lancer99]

A lot of people don't use carbon at all.

 

You can either use carbon passively, i.e. put some in a media bag, rinse it, then throw it in your sump. Or actively, in a reactor, cannister filter, HOB filter or the like. In the latter case, it will remove any chemicals/compounds much more effectively.

 

I always did the former. Dunno if it made any difference

 

One thing to be careful of: if you start using carbon actively, you may remove a lot of yellowing compounds in the water all at once, resulting in a big increase in light transmission, which could potentially burn some of your corals.

 

It used to be that you had to careful about which brand of carbon to buy, coz some of them leached phosphates, but I think the manufacturers have all wised up these days.

 

-R

[treesprite]

I have a hob aquaclear with ONLY carbon in it. I've always used carbon, so I don't know what the difference would be with or without.

[jnguyen4007]

I have a hob aquaclear with ONLY carbon in it. I've always used carbon, so I don't know what the difference would be with or without.

 

 

I used carbon in all my tropical fish tanks except for my discus tank. It polishes the water as well as absorb any fish tank odors. Following Yauger's advice, I'm now using it in my phosban reactor as well.

 

James

[jamal]

here is an endorsement for using carbon. i woke up this morning to another kalk overdose. the ph was 8.79. would have been higher where it not for the huge reactor i have running about 3 liters of carbon. the reactor is white with kalk it has absorbed from the tank. besides polishing the water it is extra insurance. when people talk about tank disasters. it usually has to do with something that they dosed. carbon will go a long way to buffer those kinds of incidents as most people will recommend running it when something is overdosed. my advice is to get the largest reactor you can afford and some quality carbon to run 24/7

[dschflier]

I agree with Jamal on this one. I think having a reactor up and running is a great way to maintain your water quality. As Jamal mentioned it can also be a great saftey net.

 

I used to have a huge algea issue in my tank. I have done a number of things to get rid of the problem, one of them being to run carbon and phosphate media 24/7. I now have no algea probelm at all. I swear by the stuff.

 

I also think if you are going to run it 24/7 the only way to go is to use a reactor. Very quickly you will recoupe the money you spent on the reactor because it is so much more efficent.