A fact in science is NOT a believed likelihood or probability. The facts are the actual data collected and nothing more. After that is all speculation. The facts of the cases in question are the HLLE developed when carbon was in the tank. The carbon was removed, then the HLLE went away. When the carbon was returned, so did the HLLE. These are the facts, that's it. My conclusions based on this (not a fact, but a hypothesis), is that the carbon caused the HLLE. I am providing facts, in reference to HLLE and carbon, these are the facts.
Are you suggesting that it is coincidence that the when the carbon was removed the HLLE went away? On top of that coincidentally when the carbon was returned so did the HLLE? That is not the simplest explanation because it is SO unlikely.
Your idea of stress is lacking one part, the actual cause of HLLE. Yes, stress can weaken the immune system. If there was stress (which you made up) then it would weaken the immune system, allowing pathogens to do their harm. What pathogens is the stress allowing to cause HLLE? If it was parasites then it would be HITH, not HLLE, and not correlate with the presence of carbon. Your stress idea for these cases does not correlate with carbon's presence unless the carbon was itself the stressor.
The only cases I ignored in my research were cases where the cause and/or cure were inconclusive. As in, if someone changed multiple things and cured it, I CAN'T take that case into consideration because it is impossible for me to know what caused or cured it. What other contradictory facts am I ignoring? What disproves my hypothesis that I am ignoring? You cite that I don't know exactly what carbon is removing. That doesn't mean I am wrong, that means I don't fully understand everything involved (but am still willing to acknowledge that SOMETHING is going on and share the facts I have found with other people).
Some nutrients enter the gills as well as the digestive tract. What is not absorbed in the digestive tract enters the water, now able to enter via the gills. At that point it may be absorbed by the carbon, no longer being available to the fish via the gills. Some trace supplements are added to planted and reef tanks, but used up, not by the organisms but by the carbon, meaning more dosing is needed. Protein skimming can do the same thing.
If people and articles online are not reliable, books are not reliable, and advanced aquarists are not reliable, only what is accepted by the scientific community is reliable, then there really is almost nothing you can believe about fishkeeping at all. So why debate this when it is just as unsupported as what food to feed, water change schedule, filtration methods, other possible causes of HLLE, and most aspects of the hobby?
If a lack of carbon can cause noticeable differences in planted and reef tanks, it is out of the question that just maybe in the case of a disease or condition with an unknown cause that maybe in some cases of the disease carbon may be the cause?
We don't even know what (all) nutrients can be involved with or cause this disease so how can I say that those nutrients are removed by carbon?
If you can tell us what carbon can remove from water, please share it with everyone. (not just wait until I ask about them)
I am telling that in fact certain cases show a strong relationship between the presence of carbon and HLLE. My hypothetical cause for this is the removal of nutrients. If someone has a better explanation for that relationship please share, I am open to it.
i see the word fact in there a WHOLE lot more than I see the word probability.
opcorn:
