View Full Version : How long to run carbon in filter
ncompany
06-01-2008, 10:24 AM
I was wondering when I run carbon in the filter how long I should run it for. As of right now I have a fowlr but soon will be getting into some mushrooms and polyps. I have read that it strips a lot of things from the water. I currently run carbon all of the time.
ncompany
06-01-2008, 12:41 PM
Have read that some people have replaced there carbon with chemi pure or purigen
I'm debating on what I want to use. What type of media are you running if any at all. Soon to have a 30 gallon sump. Can't wait for that.
AquatiCreations
06-01-2008, 12:49 PM
Yes carbon does strip things from the water that are essential to corals.Many of us use live rock ruble in our filters and sumps and the live rock acts like a filter.
ncompany
06-01-2008, 1:57 PM
Working on the sump as we speak. I have a 30 long trying to save the money for the overflox box and return pump. For the time being should I switch to something like chemi pure?
Some people run carbon all the time, some run it for only a several day period at a time (2 - 5 days), and some don't run carbon at all. I use to run carbon for 3 days at a time prior to a water change, but stopped doing even that. I don't run carbon, phosban, chemi-pure, or any other media like that. Live rock, sand, macroalgae, and a protein skimmer are what I rely on. Our corals grow really well and have good color doing just what I'm doing, which is why I don't run any of that media in our reef tank. We are stocked really lightly on fish though... only a pair of clowns and an angel in a 90g.
ncompany
06-01-2008, 2:54 PM
I have no macroalgae and stuck with a seaclone :( right now. That is another future purchase a brand new skimmer. Need to get this sump up and going first though. Thanks for the input though, it is all very helpful.
excuzzzeme
06-01-2008, 2:57 PM
I quit using carbon as I constantly had a diatom problem. I cut back on amount of food, larger WC and still problem existed. I then found out that carbon can add (or cause) excess phosphate build-up which enables diatom growth.
Too soon to tell if it worked. I have well water so no chlorine or chloramine. Water has tested safe for consumption so I see no reason to add it.
ncompany
06-01-2008, 3:22 PM
Just had a large bloom myself not to long ago, most of it has gone now but I know what you are talking about. The recent addition of my RO/DI unit is working wonders as well. Great investment.
Amphiprion
06-01-2008, 7:36 PM
I personally use it 24/7 to reduce the relatively large buildup of organic compounds (primarily secreted by the animals) that can't be removed via protein skimming, nor efficiently (or often) enough via water changes. I have never had an issue from generous use of activated carbon (unlike phosphate remover--which is good, but in much lesser quantities).
I have to kinda disagree about elements removed--there are very few that are actively removed. Even with the ones that are removed, only the ones that have complexed with some organic compounds are actually removed. The effect of carbon on an already excessive amount of trace elements found in salt mixes and foods will hardly be an issue. I just can't find an adequate reason not to run carbon.
As far as a length of time to run each individual 'batch,' I typically run it for about a month in a reactor. I noticed that its capabilities as far as keeping the water clearer tends to run out around then... Granted, that will also vary from brand to brand.
journey0820
06-01-2008, 9:22 PM
Can I throw in a related question here? My protein skimmer has a cartridge with a small amount of carbon...do you all replace these, take them out, leave it indefinitely?
Amphiprion
06-01-2008, 9:29 PM
Well, the carbon itself will become exhausted--so I would replace it reasonably often. Is it refillable?
kay-bee
06-03-2008, 6:24 PM
...The effect of carbon on an already excessive amount of trace elements found in salt mixes and foods will hardly be an issue....
:iagree:
My agreement is based on the results I have seen with my corals after running copious amounts of carbon for the last 6 months or so in my reef tank.
I ran it 24/7 in my nano and my corals were fine. I ran smallish amounts and changed it every 2 weeks