activated carbon via house filration sources

[Jack_L]

wondering if anyone is using the activated carbon sourced from house water filtration. its much cheaper than the stuff packaged for aquarium use. e.g. https://www.reverseosmosis.com/products/carbon-water-filter-media
hmm, guess you can't fix title typos via edit?

 

[X-37B]

I have used Rox for a long time and now just use and prefer this.
It take a little longer to flush the fines but overall works just as well.
With coconut carbon just rinse the fines until clear. It may take longer as it can be very fine as opposed to Rox pellet type or bituminous carbon.

 

[Jack_L]

thanks, yeah, i've not used carbon in decades doing fresh, but seems like a lot of people recomend it for Salt.
the water softener salesman REALLLLLY talk up coconut based carbon.

 

[Velcro]

Just start really slow.

 

[Mebbid]

thanks, yeah, i've not used carbon in decades doing fresh, but seems like a lot of people recomend it for Salt.
the water softener salesman REALLLLLY talk up coconut based carbon.

It's recommended for use in saltwater for short periods of time. Jury is still out whether it's harmful to use constantly. It's really good at clearing up water that develops a yellow tinge.

As for choice of carbon, I'd stick with quality carbon made for fish tanks. It generally has less fines in it and doesn't break down as easily.

 

[Jack_L]

Just start really slow.

why slow?

 

[Jack_L]

well my parameters are okay, well i guess not i have less than 5 nitrate and still zero phophate. ugly phase continues. i was thinking of it because i read/heard it could help with coral toxins they release. i tried to manhandle off a mushroom off my scape, and it won the fight, but put off a BUNCH of mucus. i also cleaned all the glass walls of diatoms/cyano and about the same time my yellow tang developed and still has red blotches. reading here, it seems this is common for newish tangs. he's still active and eating. i keep making sure he has nori. started adding some vitamins to it too. i had to old kent marine OLD. but figured better than nothing. had me reconsider carbon.

 

[Velcro]

why slow?

Because it’s very effective at clearing yellow water tint which makes your light suddenly more powerful. This can shock corals.

Lots of YouTube videos right now focusing on carbon and DOC. Would recommend checking those out. Tidal gardens also has a good video recently.

 

[Jack_L]

Because it’s very effective at clearing yellow water tint which makes your light suddenly more powerful. This can shock corals.

Lots of YouTube videos right now focusing on carbon and DOC. Would recommend checking those out. Tidal gardens also has a good video recently.

ahhhh, okay. i could see that. my water isn't yellow(that i notice) i am doing it more to remove toxins. i'll look up tidal gardens, they have good content. i've been trying to limit which channels i watch, too much conflicting info and product pushing.

 

[Evil1]

I have run carbon in my reef tank 24/7 365 for years in a BRS mini carbon/GFO reactor. I have never had any issues doing so. I have Tangs no issues with HLLE. I just make sure they get plenty of NORI with occasional vitamins added. I use a high quality carbon no cheap box store stuff