Starting carbon

[steveoutlaw]

I'm getting ready to run carbon on my tank in anticipation of bombing my flatworms.  I've put together a dual carbon reactor, loaded the cartridges with carbon, run RODI through to rinse it and now I'm ready to run it on my tank.  Do I need to run it gradually or can I just grip it and rip it?

[sachabballi reef]

just make sure you are packed tight..no tumbling and let it rip

[Origami]

Let 'er rip. Be aware that if you've not been running carbon previously and the water's yellowed some, that the extra clarity will let light transmit through the water better. You may want to take precautions on the back end to back off your lighting schedule some to prevent light-shocking your corals.

[zygote2k]

My .02 on this:

Siphon off as many FW's as possible before dosing and remove as many small sized corals as possible and rinse all FW's from them. Put them back into tank.

Do an initial double dose and watch the flatworms start moving very fast, then fall off the glass. This will take about 30 mins from time of dosing. Siphon off dying FW's with airline and wait till you see no more FW activity. Watch the fish during this time for signs of rapid respiration. If fish appear to be stressed, put the carbon in. If fish are acting normal, do not use the carbon.

I have done 13 FW treatments and the above method is what I have found to be most effective. YMMV.

[sen5241b]

Let 'er rip. Be aware that if you've not been running carbon previously and the water's yellowed some, that the extra clarity will let light transmit through the water better. You may want to take precautions on the back end to back off your lighting schedule some to prevent light-shocking your corals.

 

1+ Tumbling carbon is associated with HLLE, a fish disease.