Why no carbon?

[Jacob Abshire]

I have been running a back filter with carbon in my tank for about a year and a half (about the life of the tank). Through out this time I have seen people say "I am running a backfilter with out carbon" and similer things. Why should I not have carbon in my reef tank?

Thanks, Jacob.

[OrionGirl]

Unless you're replacing the carbon weekly, it isn't actually doing anything other than acting as a bacteria bed. Carbon quickly wears out; since it's primary use it to remove tannins and medications and similar compounds, why bother?

Of course, it's not hurting your tank to run it. It just isn't benefitting it. I'm cheap, I don't like spending money if I don't need to. I'd rather save my pennies and use carbon only when needed.

[Blacktipreef]

Carbon in a reef tank. One main reason you shouldn't have it in th etank is because it is simple removing most chemicals/non-biological things out of the water. For instance, when you pplace a new bag of carbon in the water and add the nutrients and chemicals to liven your coral up, the carbon will remove the additives. That is what it is made for to remove most suspended chemcials from the water, its like not adding anyhting at all. If you have had carbon in the tank right now its most likely dead, run out of juice your could say, bascially and now is just a home for beneficial bateria. I see no reason why u should take it out since it has already run its course. Carbono is best used for quarentine tanks and fish only tanks, because if u medicate or spill something unwanted into them the carbon will help greatly in the removal of that unwanted chemicals.

[FISH]

You can use it, once in a while is not bad. I use it every so often just to polish the water a bit. I usually use it after fragging for a few days. I run it through a magnum 250 then dry it out and reuse it next time I need it.

http://community.webtv.net/MarkPelski/INTHEWALL120GAL