carbon

[Baby Damsel 219]

I have a question regarding carbon. I have been thinking on getting a purple tang. I know carbon will cause hlle and the tang is $100 but Black Friday is tomorrow so it will be $75 and really want to get it I have this type of carbon

 

[KrisReef]

The price of the tang doesn’t change the situation much.

 

[kados]

The price of the tang doesn’t change the situation much.

Neither did your reply lol

 

[kados]

I have a question regarding carbon. I have been thinking on getting a purple tang. I know carbon will cause hlle and the tang is $100 but Black Friday is tomorrow so it will be $75 and really want to get it I have this type of carbon

I would pull the carbon. I'm no expert, no master at this but my previous Yellow Tang and lots of articles suggest that some carbons may cause HLLE.

My tanks without carbon and multiple tangs never had an issue with HLLE. I believe Rox carbon may be a better choice if you run it.

 

[KrisReef]

Neither did your reply lol

Those filter cartidges are made for hang on back filters. What alternative cartridges are made that don't have carbon? What size tank do these hang on back filters work upon?

I wasn't sure where to start with the questions about fish husbandry when the question only increased my own questions about the viability of a tang because it was on sale?

:face-with-hand-over-mouth: :smiling-face-with-sunglasses: I know what I replied. I don't want to help people make mistakes. Thanks for pointing out my own, it is very helpful to have to answer better questions. :cool:

 

[Uncle99]

I have a question regarding carbon. I have been thinking on getting a purple tang. I know carbon will cause hlle and the tang is $100 but Black Friday is tomorrow so it will be $75 and really want to get it I have this type of carbon

Then take that carbon bag out and run just the sponge.

I might employ carbon if trying to pull stuff from the water and then, maybe only a few days.

 

[kados]

I'm with you. OP is eager to buy the tang. I think he wanted to know if that carbon would be an issue (kind if assuming it would).

 

[Uncle99]

I'm with you. OP is eager to buy the tang. I think he wanted to know if that carbon would be an issue (kind if assuming it would).

Some say yes, some say no, experts seem to lean towards yes. I never took the risk. Years later with no carbon, no change from years of running 24-7, except over time, water can “yellow” and then a short carbon mop up clears that for months on end.

IMM, carbon is overused when run continuously

 

[Red_Beard]

Would help to know more about your application. You running those in a hob? Or tossing one in your sump? Is there some specific reason you are running carbon? Or just because thats what it came with? Do you change it often? If you do need carbon, would you be willing to try something different?

FWIW, ive found that carbons absorbing capacity depletes rapidly and keeping it in use continuously for no other reason than to have it can be counterproductive. There are some reusable media bags for cheap on amazon you could fill with rox carbon to reduce the particulate and fines getting into the water column if you must run it though

 

[Miami Reef]

I would use only use BRS 0.8 ROX carbon. I think it’s very low risk in causing HLLE. Enjoy the new tang.

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

I use carbon for order and water clarity. I also like to use chemi pure would chemi pure cause hlle of should I just not run carbon anymore. After I remove the carbon can I still get a tang. I plan on getting tomorrow. of I can wait till December any advice?

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

So if I remove the carbon right now can I get a purple tang later on in December? I plan on feeding nori,mysis,flakes ect. So now that the carbon is gone is there a chance thr tang can get Hlle?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, ive found that carbons absorbing capacity depletes rapidly and keeping it in use continuously for no other reason than to have it can be counterproductive. There are some reusable media bags for cheap on amazon you could fill with rox carbon to reduce the particulate and fines getting into the water column if you must run it though

In what way is it counter productive?

It depletes as things bind to it.

 

[Red_Beard]

In what way is it counter productive?

It depletes as things bind to it.

Right, but still is capable of degradation and subsequent accumulation into the water column. So you end up with none of the benefit of running carbon with all the potential detriments. Is than not accurate?

 

[Pod_01]

Just my experience,
I use carbon (0.8 Rox) about two tablespoons per 60 gal and change it every 4 weeks, it sits in a bag in a sump. I have mixed reef so the intension is to keep the chemicals warfare at bay and it does clear up the water.
I also have a Tomini tang and so far he/she is happy.

Been with me for 5+ years.

I don’t let let the carbon tumble etc…

Good luck,

 

[Reef.]

Ask yourself why are you using the carbon, many people don’t use carbon at all and for every reason for using carbon there is probably a suitable alternative product to use.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Right, but still is capable of degradation and subsequent accumulation into the water column. So you end up with none of the benefit of running carbon with all the potential detriments. Is than not accurate?

I’m not understanding the degradation and accumulation comment, unless you mean a situation where it is being beat into pieces from high flow in a reactor.

 

[Pod_01]

I’m not understanding the degradation and accumulation comment, unless you mean a situation where it is being beat into pieces from high flow in a reactor.

Randy, just couple of question.
Can carbon potential release what it captured while in a reef tank?
I don’t mean when it is ground to dust, but I keep reading statements that seem to suggest that it may… I just don’t see how that works… Maybe local pH effects…

Also is it possible that carbon can release Barium?
Again I read it at few places but I lack the knowledge to determine if it is actual phenomenon or just one of those things being repeated.

 

[Red_Beard]

I’m not understanding the degradation and accumulation comment, unless you mean a situation where it is being beat into pieces from high flow in a reactor.

Yep. Isnt that the part of the carbon that causes HLLE? The fines and carbon "dust"? I mean, this is supposition still but i have seen multiple sources stating this a likely culprit, as well as potentially heavy metals. How much of that "dust" would continue to be released during prolonged submersion in flowing water? I suspect it would be non zero, hence my previos statement.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy, just couple of question.
Can carbon potential release what it captured while in a reef tank?
I don’t mean when it is ground to dust, but I keep reading statements that seem to suggest that it may… I just don’t see how that works… Maybe local pH effects…

Also is it possible that carbon can release Barium?
Again I read it at few places but I lack the knowledge to determine if it is actual phenomenon or just one of those things being repeated.

I think GAC generally only releases organics when a different organic comes along that binds more strongly.

I generally don’t think barium is worth worrying about. It’s not very toxic and is present at pretty low levels. I don’t know if any may come in GAC, but I’m not seeing a reason that it would.