Do you run Carbon?

[costaricareef]

I use carbon when setting up a new tank and cycling for a couple of months. After that I remove it.

 

[Albert bada]

Could running active carbon cause my purple tank to have HLLE

 

[HB AL]

I run it 24/7 and it causes NO issues with the health of my fish including the Yellow, Purple and Hippo tangs. I've had these 3 for 5 years and no hlle.

 

[Paston1]

Could running active carbon cause my purple tank to have HLLE

Yes it can according to many but honestly I’m not sure. Just from the numerous people saying it or reading it.
Have never seen a scientific article show it does though.

 

[smalltownuser]

Yes, Carbon Pulls Out the Good Stuff in Addition to the Bad Stuff.

Lets put it this way.

I used Carbon for Years and had No Coral Growth!

I Stopped Using it and My Corals Took Off :)

So No I would Never Use Carbon.

The Only Exception Might be in an Emergency Situation.

Wow,, I dont even know if you'll see this but I at least wanted you to know that your response was perfect. You gave specific information rather than the typical "how big is your tank, whats in it, etc." Just looking for specific information on why or why not to use it and you nailed it. Thank you very much

 

[Barb0713]

So carbon pulls out the good stuff as well as the bad? What about GFO? I was getting ready to add both.

It is hard lol. Every time I ask a question. I get yes and no I take it all in. What google says. What people’s opinions and experiences are and then , I make an educated guess on what might work best for me. Reefing is kinda like life in general and it be little slip up ,,, could mean doomed lol yet we stay addicted lol

 

[Sophie"s mom]

i am trying to figure out what are the benefits of running active Carbon in a reactor or bag. How often do you run it? What are the advantages of running it? What are the disadvantage of running it? I have a brand 1/4 pound of BRS rox Carbon and don't know if I should run it or not. I have tried to read up on it but I can't find to much about it. From what I have read It can strip the good stuff out of the water. Can someone shed some light on this topic.

I run it 24/7, one key is to make sure you rinse it thoroughly first. The reason this is it is believed to be a possible cause of HLLE. As far as it removing "the good stuff" I had this concern myself as I started dosing iodine, and read that you should turn carbon off because it will remove it. I came on here and inquired about, and Randy Holmes Farley Said he believes what it removes as far as iodine goes is negligible. So I went with that because he is a very trusted source of all things chemical here. TO me at least, the pros far, far outweigh the cons.