Carbon reactor question

[iamurri33]

I have a next reef mr1 I want to start using, I want to know what the pros and cons were to running carbon, should I run it 24/7 month on month off? Will it help hole in head, is carbon the best to use in the reactor?

 

[hybridazn]

I run mine 24/7 and I usually change out the carbon every 3 weeks or so. It's great to help keep the water clear, just make sure you rinse the carbon well so no dust gets into the system. I usually do this during a water change and let about 5 gallons of water run thru the reactor and into a bucket to discard.

 

[iamurri33]

Now what about hole in head? I have 2 hippo tangs that got it every now add again, before I purchased this setup, do you think it was from having bad carbon?

 

[hybridazn]

Did you rinse the carbon well and make sure it wasn't tumbling or grinding?

 

[iamurri33]

It wasn't mine the previous owner said the hippos got it ever now and again. He ran carbon 24/7 didn't ask any other questions, I 5ook the carbon out when I bought it bc it was tumbling, never put it back in and the hippos are healing.

 

[hybridazn]

That's more than likely why. Carbon dust has been known to cause that. You need to make sure it's rinsed well and not moving at all. Also use a high quality carbon, I recommend the 0.8 rox carbon by either brs or vertex