Should I run carbon?

lotusstar · 05/27/2009, 03:31 PM

Hey all,
I've gotten my 92g corner set up. Bought it over the weekend and it's been established for 4 years but had a fair bit of neglect recently so it's dirty as can be. The skimmer has been filling with crap being trapped but the water seems to not be clearing. I was wondering if running some activated carbon would help clean the water a little quicker?

Thanks!

Sisterlimonpot · 05/27/2009, 03:33 PM

carbon will definitely help polish the water. I run carbon 24/7

lostinthereef · 05/27/2009, 10:44 PM

run carbon and a phosphate remover.also try using a poly pad

tatmanfish · 05/27/2009, 10:50 PM

+1

lotusstar · 05/27/2009, 10:52 PM

awesome sounds great I will try that. Well, forgive the ignorance, but what is a poly pad? Not a term I've heard before? Also should I just run the sleeves of carbon in the sump? I have them clipped basically right where the drain pipe comes from the tank. Does that sound good?

drummereef · 05/27/2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lotusstar
Well, forgive the ignorance, but what is a poly pad? Not a term I've heard before?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4335

Flipper62 · 05/28/2009, 12:16 AM

Carbon is a good thing to keep the water crystal clear. However, carbon will need to be replaced about every 2 to 4 weeks. After that it is used up & starts to become a nitrate trap & can then start putting it back into the tank.

lombard0 · 05/28/2009, 12:43 AM

It is best to run carbon in some type of "reactor", where the water flows from bottom to top.

robot2222 · 05/28/2009, 01:11 AM

in my opinion you should always run carbon , but change out every 4 weeks. removes toxins and clears up water.

staninct · 05/28/2009, 04:59 AM

What they said. I run carbon and GFO in my PhosBan reactor and change it out once a month. Water is crystal clear and has no odor whatsoever.

zoiescout · 05/28/2009, 05:44 AM

I prefer to run my carbon in a reactor. It works much better in my opinion.

reefworm · 05/28/2009, 09:12 AM

I'd like to piggyback, if you don't mind, with a question about this unit http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon...duct_info.html for a 29 gal with 10 gal sump. [ My sump is limited for space with the return pump and skimmer pump already using up a good bit of room]
thanks!

iFisch · 05/28/2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sisterlimonpot
carbon will definitely help polish the water. I run carbon 24/7

+1. No real reason not to, IMO. It's not expensive stuff. And it really helps clear the water.

Juruense · 05/28/2009, 11:18 AM

I see no reason to use anything other than polyfilter. That is what I do...

swivel · 05/28/2009, 02:22 PM

can you just put the carbon in the sump?

lotusstar · 05/28/2009, 02:44 PM

that's what i did. i just clipped it infront of the drain pipe coming down and it's working great so far

iFisch · 05/28/2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swivel
can you just put the carbon in the sump?

Yes. Be sure to put it in a media bag. And rinse really well.

shaginwagon13 · 05/28/2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by robot2222
in my opinion you should always run carbon , but change out every 4 weeks. removes toxins and clears up water.

+1

I use fine grain ROWA because I really like it however it is a little on the expensive side (compared to the coarse type) so if you can buy in bulk to save a little money.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...id=20423&rel=1

05/27/2009, 03:31 PM	#1
lotusstar Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: temple, TX Posts: 327	Should I run carbon? Hey all, I've gotten my 92g corner set up. Bought it over the weekend and it's been established for 4 years but had a fair bit of neglect recently so it's dirty as can be. The skimmer has been filling with crap being trapped but the water seems to not be clearing. I was wondering if running some activated carbon would help clean the water a little quicker? Thanks!

05/27/2009, 03:33 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	carbon will definitely help polish the water. I run carbon 24/7 __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

05/28/2009, 12:16 AM	#7
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	Carbon is a good thing to keep the water crystal clear. However, carbon will need to be replaced about every 2 to 4 weeks. After that it is used up & starts to become a nitrate trap & can then start putting it back into the tank. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

05/28/2009, 01:11 AM	#9
robot2222 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: phoenix, arizonia Posts: 1,283	carbon in my opinion you should always run carbon , but change out every 4 weeks. removes toxins and clears up water.

05/28/2009, 04:59 AM	#10
staninct Zoanthid/SPS Killer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Branford, CT 06405 Posts: 1,660	What they said. I run carbon and GFO in my PhosBan reactor and change it out once a month. Water is crystal clear and has no odor whatsoever. __________________ Cheers! Stan Current Tank Info: 58g w/ 20g sump/fuge, TX5 T5s, Tunze 6045s and SC150 Skimmer

05/27/2009, 10:44 PM	#3
lostinthereef Moved On Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: somewhere Posts: 125	run carbon and a phosphate remover.also try using a poly pad

05/27/2009, 10:50 PM	#4
tatmanfish Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 54	+1

05/27/2009, 10:52 PM	#5
lotusstar Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: temple, TX Posts: 327	awesome sounds great I will try that. Well, forgive the ignorance, but what is a poly pad? Not a term I've heard before? Also should I just run the sleeves of carbon in the sump? I have them clipped basically right where the drain pipe comes from the tank. Does that sound good?

05/28/2009, 12:43 AM	#8
lombard0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 319	It is best to run carbon in some type of "reactor", where the water flows from bottom to top.

05/28/2009, 05:44 AM	#11
zoiescout Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Holly Springs, NC Posts: 47	I prefer to run my carbon in a reactor. It works much better in my opinion.

05/28/2009, 09:12 AM	#12
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	I'd like to piggyback, if you don't mind, with a question about this unit http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon...duct_info.html for a 29 gal with 10 gal sump. [ My sump is limited for space with the return pump and skimmer pump already using up a good bit of room] thanks! __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

05/28/2009, 11:18 AM	#14
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	I see no reason to use anything other than polyfilter. That is what I do...

05/28/2009, 02:22 PM	#15
swivel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: san francisco Posts: 268	can you just put the carbon in the sump?

05/28/2009, 02:44 PM	#16
lotusstar Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: temple, TX Posts: 327	that's what i did. i just clipped it infront of the drain pipe coming down and it's working great so far