Carbon 101

[FishWife]

We have our tank up and running and are now ready to establish a maintenance routine. I wanted to start two threads: carbon and calcium. This is carbon! What I've understood so far it that one should run it, and probably in a cannister filter, and probably two weeks per month. (Please correct me on any of this.) The questions below are based on that starting information.

 

1. How to "run" carbon? Cannister filter? In the sump?

 

2. If in a cannister filter, how long each month?

 

3. Would an old freshwater HOB filter deliver carbon adequately to a sump?

 

4. If using a cannister filter and periodically, do you replace the carbon and clean the filter between uses so the stuff inside doesn't rot and so that the carbon is replenished, or not and why?

 

5. WHY run carbon at all? What does it do for your tank?

 

TIA!

[jamal]

We have our tank up and running and are now ready to establish a maintenance routine. I wanted to start two threads: carbon and calcium. This is carbon! What I've understood so far it that one should run it, and probably in a cannister filter, and probably two weeks per month. (Please correct me on any of this.) The questions below are based on that starting information.

 

1. How to "run" carbon? Cannister filter? In the sump?

 

2. If in a cannister filter, how long each month?

 

3. Would an old freshwater HOB filter deliver carbon adequately to a sump?

 

4. If using a cannister filter and periodically, do you replace the carbon and clean the filter between uses so the stuff inside doesn't rot and so that the carbon is replenished, or not and why?

 

5. WHY run carbon at all? What does it do for your tank?

 

TIA!

 

you want to run it in something that forces the water through itself. a phosban reactor is an example of this. you can stick the container in the sump.

 

i run my carbon 24/7. though some run it for less. i use dan's fluid reactor to run it.

 

yea any container will work if you through the carbon in some filter socks but it wont be as good as using a reactor.

 

i definitely replace it and clean the reactor once a month. once the carbon is used it gets filled and you cant use it anymore.

 

carbon absorbs organics and metals both good and bad. carbon is used to take things out of the water put simply. once the pores are filled they cant be used anymore and must be replaced. carbon cleans some things out of your tank that we strive to remove. it is a filtration method which can be incorporated as part of a larger scheme

[reefhunter]

I run carbon all the time as well as my refugium. I run it through a phosban ractor (cheap!) and change it about once a month. I will add that my fish are nice and fat (feed alot), and I have 6 tangs (some of which are large - 9" Sailfin), other fish, and a large clean up crew.... So I am always worried about absorbing what is left over from them... I constantly monitor my skimmer also....

 

At one point I had Cyano problems, hair algae problems, etc etc.... now (because of refugium, CUC and carbon) I have none of those problems.... be careful when you first run carbon because it can "clean" your water to the point your corals get way more light and it will "burn" or "bleach" them... so run it for a few days, turn it off for a few days....

 

The speaker at the meeting did say that HLLE could possibly be caused by running carbon too often... and also that carbon strips the water of some important things... I hopefully battle that with water changes....

 

This hobby is all about finding out what works best with your set up...

 

My experience is limited so if there are any old guys that want to correct me, please do... .

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I run it 24/7 through a canister filter. I notice clearer water when I change it (about once a month)

 

I don't use the other components of the canister filter (pads, floss, balls, etc). All that is in there is plastic and carbon.

 

tim