Is running carbon also a source of carbon like vodka?

Scungili · 11/15/2009, 08:11 AM

I know running carbon in a reactor or filter sock strips away organics, pollutants etc. but does it add a source of Carbon for bacteria like Vodka does?

Jeff · 11/15/2009, 09:26 AM

No, they are two different things.

Scungili · 11/15/2009, 10:00 AM

So activated carbon in no way acts as a source of food for bacteria?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/15/2009, 10:11 AM

No, none at all. They cannot consume and metabolize it.

Scungili · 11/15/2009, 10:18 AM

Straight from the mouth of a reef chemist.

Then it would be safe to run carbon when experiencing what may potentially be, a bacterial bloom?

tatuvaaj · 11/15/2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scungili

Then it would be safe to run carbon when experiencing what may potentially be, a bacterial bloom?

Absolutely

If anything, it reduces the possibility of bacterial bloom by adsorbing organics.

I would prefer we use term "DOC dosing". Adding alkalinity is also a form of carbon dosing

ludnix · 11/15/2009, 10:43 AM

Yeah, if you're having a bacterial bloom that seems to be the ideal time to start running carbon.

11/15/2009, 08:11 AM	#1
Scungili Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: st petersburg Posts: 376	Is running carbon also a source of carbon like vodka? I know running carbon in a reactor or filter sock strips away organics, pollutants etc. but does it add a source of Carbon for bacteria like Vodka does?

11/15/2009, 09:26 AM	#2
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	No, they are two different things. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

11/15/2009, 10:11 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	No, none at all. They cannot consume and metabolize it. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

11/15/2009, 10:43 AM	#7
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	Yeah, if you're having a bacterial bloom that seems to be the ideal time to start running carbon. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

11/15/2009, 10:00 AM	#3
Scungili Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: st petersburg Posts: 376	So activated carbon in no way acts as a source of food for bacteria?

11/15/2009, 10:18 AM	#5
Scungili Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: st petersburg Posts: 376	Straight from the mouth of a reef chemist. Then it would be safe to run carbon when experiencing what may potentially be, a bacterial bloom?