Carbon can ruin a cycle?

Roachant · 09/20/2013, 09:07 AM

Hi all,
I was told not to use any granulated carbon during a cycle as it can absorb the ammonia I am trying to create to feed the bacteria.
I have many years of experience in freshwater systems and to my knowledge I told him no, it will not remove ammonia to which he replied that in a salt water system it does.
This is the first I heard about it.
Any thoughts? Should I remove the carbon?

willyboy · 09/20/2013, 09:51 AM

I'm not sure if it removes ammonia or not but most people don't run carbon while their tank is cycling, there isn't much of a point.

Roachant · 09/20/2013, 11:32 AM

I wanted to clear up my cloudy water after adding sand and mixing my saltwater. It worked well ( well I think it did, maybe it just settled out).

Allmost · 09/20/2013, 11:34 AM

yes the sand has just settled. as cycle occurs, bacteria grow on sand and ,.. making them more heavy for them to settle.

kurt_n · 09/20/2013, 12:48 PM

Carbon alone can't adsorb ammonia, regardless of what kind of water it is. Don't think it will hurt the cycle, but it won't help either - just kind of a waste of money.

09/20/2013, 09:07 AM	#1
Roachant Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saint - Hubert, Quebec, Canada Posts: 71	Carbon can ruin a cycle? Hi all, I was told not to use any granulated carbon during a cycle as it can absorb the ammonia I am trying to create to feed the bacteria. I have many years of experience in freshwater systems and to my knowledge I told him no, it will not remove ammonia to which he replied that in a salt water system it does. This is the first I heard about it. Any thoughts? Should I remove the carbon? __________________ My fishes breath smells like fish food. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder with 25 gallon sump, coralife skimmer 125, 120 watt led fixture

09/20/2013, 11:32 AM	#3
Roachant Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saint - Hubert, Quebec, Canada Posts: 71	I wanted to clear up my cloudy water after adding sand and mixing my saltwater. It worked well ( well I think it did, maybe it just settled out). __________________ My fishes breath smells like fish food. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder with 25 gallon sump, coralife skimmer 125, 120 watt led fixture

09/20/2013, 09:51 AM	#2
willyboy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 115	I'm not sure if it removes ammonia or not but most people don't run carbon while their tank is cycling, there isn't much of a point.

09/20/2013, 11:34 AM	#4
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	yes the sand has just settled. as cycle occurs, bacteria grow on sand and ,.. making them more heavy for them to settle.

09/20/2013, 12:48 PM	#5
kurt_n Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,592	Carbon alone can't adsorb ammonia, regardless of what kind of water it is. Don't think it will hurt the cycle, but it won't help either - just kind of a waste of money.