Activated Carbon: Yea or nay? Why?

thebanker · 02/01/2010, 09:54 AM

Feel free to comment. Do you use it? If so, how do you employ it (i.e. fluidized reactor, bag in sump, HOB, canister, etc.). If you don't use it, why not? And be specific. What is it removing that you want to keep in your tank?

Seems like this is a long standing debate.

I stopped using it, and now I've switched back in an attempt to save some declining euphyllids. :-/ Right now I'm running in a HOB aquaclear 110 with media bags.

DThompson · 02/01/2010, 09:56 AM

Use it all the time. I place it in a bag in the sump.

chilihedkc · 02/01/2010, 09:59 AM

I only use it before a water change. Helps pull some color, and other nasty stuff out of the water that is left behind, and the water change replenishes the good stuff, minerals and such, that the carbon pulls out. IMO

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/01/2010, 10:01 AM

I run it 24/7 in a cannister filter.

It reduces yellowing.
It exports organics and metals attached to them.
It may bind organic toxins from the water.
It makes a great place for bacteria to grow for my organic carbon dosing.

Drawbacks may possibly include possibility of HLLE beign encouraged in some fish.

DThompson · 02/01/2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilihedkc

I only use it before a water change. Helps pull some color, and other nasty stuff out of the water that is left behind, and the water change replenishes the good stuff, minerals and such, that the carbon pulls out. IMO

What do you think it is pulling out?

If your water is turning colors before a water change, I think you need to run it on more regular basis.

There have been plenty of good research articles published over the years. None have indicated that Carbon is removing minerals and such.

chilihedkc · 02/01/2010, 10:21 AM

It's not that the water is changing colors per se. It just kind of polishes the water a bit. It seems like my corals do better only using it once a week before a change. To each his own, but it works for my system.

tkeracer619 · 02/01/2010, 10:24 AM

Carbon does not pull anything good out. That is a reefer myth.

Hockey0000325 · 02/01/2010, 10:34 AM

I use it 24/7 bag in sump. It does seem to keep my water clearer, as well as if any toxins were released it helps with that as well.

thebanker · 02/01/2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Carbon does not pull anything good out. That is a reefer myth.

This is what I'm trying to get to the bottom of. What beneficial ingredients does carbon pull out? I haven't heard any good arguments yet. I read an article by waterkeeper that turned around my opinion of activated carbon.

jubjub · 02/01/2010, 10:55 AM

i use it all the time in a bag in my sump...definately worth it imo...keeps the water clearer, no more of that yellow garbage water and it just seems like the water seems clearer

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/01/2010, 11:13 AM

Carbon does not pull anything good out. That is a reefer myth.

That depends on what you consider good.

Some folks consider copper and other trace metals (which bind to organic matter which in turn binds to GAC) to be an undesirable impurity that accumulates and is best exported. Others consider it a useful additive that organisms need.

Many of us have no idea whether the amount in the water is too much, too little, or just right. I fall into the latter category with respect to copper, even knowing the measured levels in my tank water.

SkyPapa · 02/01/2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DThompson

Use it all the time. I place it in a bag in the sump.

+?, lost count

jb61264 · 02/01/2010, 11:17 AM

i have a Marineland H.O.T 250 laying around from my freshwater tank which has since been taken down...it has a nice carbon media holder for and I was thinking about selling it until I started reading about how many people (especially Randy Holmes-Farley) run carbon 24-7...now I'm keeping the H.O.T. 250 and will hang it on my 55 AGA that I use as a sump for my 75 mixed reef. I purchased a BRS media reactor to run both GFO and Carbon, but now I will run just GFO in that reactor and carbon in my 250.

Sk8r · 02/01/2010, 12:24 PM

I use a ladies kneehigh nylon, and started using it when I realized my huge hammer coral was chemically bullying his tankmates. It does handle coral spit, and while lps is not known for spitting as are softies, I'm convinced it does. Things have calmed down in the tank since I started that. The hammer is less florid and the fox and frog and torch more so.

cloak · 02/01/2010, 12:31 PM

No, never.

I don't think it does anything that regular water changes can't take care of.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/01/2010, 12:35 PM

I don't think it does anything that regular water changes can't take care of.

You do not think organic toxin removal is necessary, that it doesn't happen with GAC, or that water changes remove it just as well?

Same question for yellowing. Do you think it unnecessary, or that water changes do it just was well?

somethingphishy · 02/01/2010, 12:41 PM

I use carbon in a hang on refugium in a bag for two week periods...then removed for two weeks

swjim · 02/01/2010, 12:44 PM

24x7 in a bag, changed once a month.

El Diablo · 02/01/2010, 12:51 PM

I didnt run carbon for a while and now that I have it seems with my sps I get better pe.

cloak · 02/01/2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

I don't think it does anything that regular water changes can't take care of.

You do not think organic toxin removal is necessary, that it doesn't happen with GAC, or that water changes remove it just as well?

Same question for yellowing. Do you think it unnecessary, or that water changes do it just was well?

There's a lot of things in this hobby that can be side stepped if you know what your doing. This tank ran smoothly without carbon for nine years with only a DSB, skimming, and regular water changes. Whether it's necessary or not, I don't know, but nobody will will ever convince me otherwise. I've done just fine without it.

I'm incorporating the same husbandry techniques on my 20 gallon sps tank right now, and out of the small amount of corals that I do have, none of them seems to be asking for it.

stevejrnc · 02/01/2010, 01:49 PM

i have a 2 part carbon gfo unit running in 24/7
do i need it not really but it looks cool

but carbon is extremely necessary for folks that condition there tap water into saltwater

thebanker · 02/01/2010, 01:56 PM

I've switched my stance on carbon. I was against it because people on RC said they didn't use it, but now I'm hearing that going without AC is detrimental. If it removes organic compounds from my water and does so cheaply, I'm all for using it.

For the people who don't use it, I think there is something in your filtration / husbandry that accomplishes the same task. I know a guy who ran an ecosystem miracle mud tank for 12 years, and the tank looked amazing. Maybe the refugium removed compounds that carbon is able to remove?

My friend bought the tank from him, and it still looks good without carbon. After no carbon for the past month, i went back to using it due to a large HA outbreak and some problems with my frogspawn dying, etc.

Octoshark · 02/01/2010, 02:04 PM

My girlfriend uses it because she has a small tank without a skimmer.

Hephalump · 02/01/2010, 02:16 PM

I just started running carbon on my tank in a small HOB. I had a few friends over who had seen my tank a few days beforehand. I received many comments about how "vibrant" and "clear" it looked. If a non-hobbyist can notice a difference in water quality just by looking, then it must have been a BIG difference. I don't always run it, but I see no reason not to. I definitely notice that my water looks crystal clear when I use it.

Mr. Right · 02/01/2010, 02:24 PM

I’ve used it w/ HOB filter in a media bag, media bag in sump, canister filter and now use it in a reactor. I use it because I see improved water clarity and it also helps with keeping the house from smelling fishy.

GO CARBON!

View Poll Results: Do you use activated carbon in your reef tank?
Yes, all the time.	341	70.02%
No, never.	35	7.19%
I take it online / offline as needed.	111	22.79%
Voters: 487. You may not vote on this poll

02/01/2010, 09:54 AM	#1
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	Activated Carbon: Yea or nay? Why? Feel free to comment. Do you use it? If so, how do you employ it (i.e. fluidized reactor, bag in sump, HOB, canister, etc.). If you don't use it, why not? And be specific. What is it removing that you want to keep in your tank? Seems like this is a long standing debate. I stopped using it, and now I've switched back in an attempt to save some declining euphyllids. :-/ Right now I'm running in a HOB aquaclear 110 with media bags.

02/01/2010, 10:01 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I run it 24/7 in a cannister filter. It reduces yellowing. It exports organics and metals attached to them. It may bind organic toxins from the water. It makes a great place for bacteria to grow for my organic carbon dosing. Drawbacks may possibly include possibility of HLLE beign encouraged in some fish. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/01/2010, 10:24 AM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Carbon does not pull anything good out. That is a reefer myth. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/01/2010, 10:55 AM	#10
jubjub Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: vacaville, cali Posts: 2,698	i use it all the time in a bag in my sump...definately worth it imo...keeps the water clearer, no more of that yellow garbage water and it just seems like the water seems clearer __________________ "The world holds two classes of men - intelligent men without religion, and religious men without intelligence." - Abu Ala Al-Maari

02/01/2010, 09:56 AM	#2
DThompson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scottsadale, AZ Posts: 374	Use it all the time. I place it in a bag in the sump.

02/01/2010, 09:59 AM	#3
chilihedkc Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: kansas Posts: 100	I only use it before a water change. Helps pull some color, and other nasty stuff out of the water that is left behind, and the water change replenishes the good stuff, minerals and such, that the carbon pulls out. IMO

02/01/2010, 10:21 AM	#6
chilihedkc Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: kansas Posts: 100	It's not that the water is changing colors per se. It just kind of polishes the water a bit. It seems like my corals do better only using it once a week before a change. To each his own, but it works for my system.

02/01/2010, 10:34 AM	#8
Hockey0000325 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Rochester Posts: 268	I use it 24/7 bag in sump. It does seem to keep my water clearer, as well as if any toxins were released it helps with that as well.

02/01/2010, 11:13 AM	#11
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Carbon does not pull anything good out. That is a reefer myth. That depends on what you consider good. Some folks consider copper and other trace metals (which bind to organic matter which in turn binds to GAC) to be an undesirable impurity that accumulates and is best exported. Others consider it a useful additive that organisms need. Many of us have no idea whether the amount in the water is too much, too little, or just right. I fall into the latter category with respect to copper, even knowing the measured levels in my tank water. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/01/2010, 11:17 AM	#13
jb61264 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 1,112	i have a Marineland H.O.T 250 laying around from my freshwater tank which has since been taken down...it has a nice carbon media holder for and I was thinking about selling it until I started reading about how many people (especially Randy Holmes-Farley) run carbon 24-7...now I'm keeping the H.O.T. 250 and will hang it on my 55 AGA that I use as a sump for my 75 mixed reef. I purchased a BRS media reactor to run both GFO and Carbon, but now I will run just GFO in that reactor and carbon in my 250. __________________ In the end (and the begining) we're all just stardust anyway... Current Tank Info: 75 gallon SPS reef/55 gallon sump/6x54W TEK T5HO/Reef Octopus 200 Extreme Skimmer/Reef Octopus Single Chamber Calcium Reactor/RKL

02/01/2010, 12:24 PM	#14
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use a ladies kneehigh nylon, and started using it when I realized my huge hammer coral was chemically bullying his tankmates. It does handle coral spit, and while lps is not known for spitting as are softies, I'm convinced it does. Things have calmed down in the tank since I started that. The hammer is less florid and the fox and frog and torch more so. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/01/2010, 12:31 PM	#15
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	No, never. I don't think it does anything that regular water changes can't take care of.

02/01/2010, 12:35 PM	#16
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I don't think it does anything that regular water changes can't take care of. You do not think organic toxin removal is necessary, that it doesn't happen with GAC, or that water changes remove it just as well? Same question for yellowing. Do you think it unnecessary, or that water changes do it just was well? __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/01/2010, 12:41 PM	#17
somethingphishy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fleetwood, pa Posts: 852	I use carbon in a hang on refugium in a bag for two week periods...then removed for two weeks __________________ "Set the gearshift for the high gear Of your soul, you've got to run like An antelope out of control!" Current Tank Info: 50g/20l sump

02/01/2010, 12:44 PM	#18
swjim Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boerne, TX Posts: 884	24x7 in a bag, changed once a month.

02/01/2010, 12:51 PM	#19
El Diablo Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sunset Hills Posts: 2,892	I didnt run carbon for a while and now that I have it seems with my sps I get better pe. __________________ :) :) Hello Thanks Todd ___________________________________________

02/01/2010, 01:49 PM	#21
stevejrnc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hollywood FL Posts: 439	i have a 2 part carbon gfo unit running in 24/7 do i need it not really but it looks cool but carbon is extremely necessary for folks that condition there tap water into saltwater

02/01/2010, 01:56 PM	#22
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	I've switched my stance on carbon. I was against it because people on RC said they didn't use it, but now I'm hearing that going without AC is detrimental. If it removes organic compounds from my water and does so cheaply, I'm all for using it. For the people who don't use it, I think there is something in your filtration / husbandry that accomplishes the same task. I know a guy who ran an ecosystem miracle mud tank for 12 years, and the tank looked amazing. Maybe the refugium removed compounds that carbon is able to remove? My friend bought the tank from him, and it still looks good without carbon. After no carbon for the past month, i went back to using it due to a large HA outbreak and some problems with my frogspawn dying, etc.

02/01/2010, 02:04 PM	#23
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	My girlfriend uses it because she has a small tank without a skimmer. __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

02/01/2010, 02:16 PM	#24
Hephalump Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 244	I just started running carbon on my tank in a small HOB. I had a few friends over who had seen my tank a few days beforehand. I received many comments about how "vibrant" and "clear" it looked. If a non-hobbyist can notice a difference in water quality just by looking, then it must have been a BIG difference. I don't always run it, but I see no reason not to. I definitely notice that my water looks crystal clear when I use it. __________________ You can change your socks, but if you don't wash your feet they will still stink. Current Tank Info: 65 gal bowfront mixed reef, Maxspect Razor 160w, Reef Octopus NW150, Aquamaxx Nano calcium reactor, vortech mp40, pair of ocellaris clowns, starry blenny.

02/01/2010, 02:24 PM	#25
Mr. Right Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Here Posts: 521	I’ve used it w/ HOB filter in a media bag, media bag in sump, canister filter and now use it in a reactor. I use it because I see improved water clarity and it also helps with keeping the house from smelling fishy. GO CARBON! __________________ He who knows does not speak, He who speaks does not know Current Tank Info: Old tanks: 37gal mixed, 57 gal mixed, 120 sps. Current tank 18”x18”x18” rimless in the works.