Carbon or No Carbon?

[Reef GE]

I have a 150 gallon mixed reef tank. Currently using Red Sea Carbon which is just in a pouch laying in water flow of the final chamber before the sump pumps the water back up to DT . Here are several questions regarding carbon usage:

1. Should carbon be used all the time or just periodically?
2. If periodically, can I pull it out and "save" it in RODI water until the next time I need it without sacrificing efficiency?
3. If continually, how long before I need to replace the carbon?
4. How much carbon should I use for my size tank? Does that dosage change based on whether I use it on a one time basis or continually?
5. Anything else I should consider?

In my sump, I use a sock, skimmer, ceramic rings/refugium (together). No other reactors, etc. I also had some purigen in a pouch but due to very low levels of nitrates and phosphates pulled it out to help raise my parameters a bit.

(I have all the same questions regarding purigen if anyone cares to chime in)

 

[Doctorgori]

Its new to me; but current conventional wisdom has it Carbon is really only effective for a few days run continually...
that news kinda changes my whole philosophy on using it ... if it were me I’d probably just use a HOB canister filter and run it for a few days between water changes or on a period/schedule

 

[Daddy-o]

I dont run activated carbon or a sock.

 

[Reef GE]

I run carbon for three reasons:

1) slightly rusty hose clamps in my sump. (I live overseas and need to buy some plastic hose clamps but can't find them anywhere). The carbon should mitigate any negative from the rust, right?

2) hands always in the tank (carbon can remove anything 'bad' that my hands somehow bring into the tank)

3) toxins released by corals that grow into one another are neutralized

Thoughts?

 

[Reef GE]

I dont run activated carbon or a sock.

No sock - I might try that. I never understood the purpose of the sock other than to clear the water a bit.

 

[Erick Armanii]

No carbon.. no sock..
I do run UV in the evening..


Your questions;
1. Should carbon be used all the time or just periodically? - Periodically, Carbon is really only effective for a few days before its complete exhausted. It is theorized that carbon leads to HLLE in fish.
2. If periodically, can I pull it out and "save" it in RODI water until the next time I need it without sacrificing efficiency? - Doubtful
3. If continually, how long before I need to replace the carbon? - I would use it only a few days at a time and probably only as needed.
4. How much carbon should I use for my size tank? Does that dosage change based on whether I use it on a one time basis or continually? - one time or continual should have the same amount regardless. BRS has a calculator that would make recommendations.. I would start with a cup and move up or down til you found the results ur looking for.
5. Anything else I should
- carbon removes impurities.. if you don’t have them don’t run it..