Activated Carbon

Rekonn · 10/22/2006, 09:20 AM

Can someone point me to an article on activated carbon benefits? I'm not using it now, and I'm wondering if I should. I already have a protein skimmer, DSB, and refugium. I'm wondering if using carbon would be redundant, or if it'll provide a needed method of filtration that I'm currently missing.

Shagsbeard · 10/22/2006, 09:47 AM

Activated carbon removes ammonia and organics from the water... while it's active. It "fills up" pretty quick and then becomes more of a problem than a plus. If you choose to run carbon, make sure to replace it frequently... monthly at least. It is likely that you don't "need" carbon, but it can clear up visability in your water.

michaeldaly · 10/22/2006, 10:09 AM

Carbon is especially usefull if you keep alot of soft corals as they put toxins in the water and tend to stain the water yellow, Activated carbon clears this up. I run carbon continually and change it every 3 weeks.

Rekonn · 10/22/2006, 11:53 AM

Well, I'm not worried about ammonia, and I only have a couple soft corals. I have some LPS and SPS corals as well, and in the future will probably stick with a LPS/SPS mix.

The removal of organics would be the biggest benefit for me then. I think I've also seen them referred to as DOC (dissolved organic compounds). So, a protein skimmer or fuge does nothing to remove them?

I was thinking of running a power filter in my tank anyway because right now I have no mechanical filtration, and I have a lot of floating particles I want to get rid of. I have a Penguin 170 power filter and the filter cartridges for it have activated carbon. Think replacing one of those cartridges a month would be a good plan?

AnAnemone · 10/22/2006, 01:13 PM

Think replacing one of those cartridges a month would be a good plan? ...

Sure, and clean them every few days in the sink.
BTW, that penguin filter -is- mechanical filtration.

Rekonn · 10/22/2006, 01:32 PM

Ah, guess I wasn't clear, the penguin filter is just sitting in a box right now. I have it, but I'm not running it on the tank currently.

AnAnemone · 10/22/2006, 01:45 PM

Well, get to it!!

Rekonn · 10/22/2006, 01:51 PM

Heh, thx for the advice, but I think I'll have to take a different approach. I can't put the power filter on my sump because the water level is too low, and it would sound like a waterfall. So, I was thinking of hanging it on the main tank. But, there's a canopy on the main tank that takes 2 people to lift off, so I gotta bug my wife every time. Monthly would be ok, but every couple of days just isn't realistic.

theatrus · 10/22/2006, 01:59 PM

You can run mechanical or carbon in the sump if you choose. Simply put it in a media bag (if you buy the loose stuff) and put it in an area of high flow.

Protein skimmers are excellent DOC removers. Fuges are excellent nitrate and phosphate removers. Carbon is an excellent chemical remover and compliments a protein skimmer, as each can handle substances the other can't.

10/22/2006, 09:20 AM	#1
Rekonn Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 769	Activated Carbon Can someone point me to an article on activated carbon benefits? I'm not using it now, and I'm wondering if I should. I already have a protein skimmer, DSB, and refugium. I'm wondering if using carbon would be redundant, or if it'll provide a needed method of filtration that I'm currently missing.

10/22/2006, 01:59 PM	#9
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	You can run mechanical or carbon in the sump if you choose. Simply put it in a media bag (if you buy the loose stuff) and put it in an area of high flow. Protein skimmers are excellent DOC removers. Fuges are excellent nitrate and phosphate removers. Carbon is an excellent chemical remover and compliments a protein skimmer, as each can handle substances the other can't. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

10/22/2006, 09:47 AM	#2
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Activated carbon removes ammonia and organics from the water... while it's active. It "fills up" pretty quick and then becomes more of a problem than a plus. If you choose to run carbon, make sure to replace it frequently... monthly at least. It is likely that you don't "need" carbon, but it can clear up visability in your water.

10/22/2006, 10:09 AM	#3
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	Carbon is especially usefull if you keep alot of soft corals as they put toxins in the water and tend to stain the water yellow, Activated carbon clears this up. I run carbon continually and change it every 3 weeks.

10/22/2006, 11:53 AM	#4
Rekonn Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 769	Well, I'm not worried about ammonia, and I only have a couple soft corals. I have some LPS and SPS corals as well, and in the future will probably stick with a LPS/SPS mix. The removal of organics would be the biggest benefit for me then. I think I've also seen them referred to as DOC (dissolved organic compounds). So, a protein skimmer or fuge does nothing to remove them? I was thinking of running a power filter in my tank anyway because right now I have no mechanical filtration, and I have a lot of floating particles I want to get rid of. I have a Penguin 170 power filter and the filter cartridges for it have activated carbon. Think replacing one of those cartridges a month would be a good plan?

10/22/2006, 01:13 PM	#5
AnAnemone Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chipita Park, Colorado Posts: 310	Think replacing one of those cartridges a month would be a good plan? ... Sure, and clean them every few days in the sink. BTW, that penguin filter -is- mechanical filtration.

10/22/2006, 01:32 PM	#6
Rekonn Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 769	Ah, guess I wasn't clear, the penguin filter is just sitting in a box right now. I have it, but I'm not running it on the tank currently.

10/22/2006, 01:45 PM	#7
AnAnemone Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chipita Park, Colorado Posts: 310	Well, get to it!!

10/22/2006, 01:51 PM	#8
Rekonn Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 769	Heh, thx for the advice, but I think I'll have to take a different approach. I can't put the power filter on my sump because the water level is too low, and it would sound like a waterfall. So, I was thinking of hanging it on the main tank. But, there's a canopy on the main tank that takes 2 people to lift off, so I gotta bug my wife every time. Monthly would be ok, but every couple of days just isn't realistic.