Should I start running carbon now?

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Good morning fellow reefers! So I have a 75 gal tank and primarily have LPS corals. I added some chalice over the past two months and just added a branching monti a few weeks ago (and all are doing well) but wonder if they would grow a bit faster with out all my leathers or with carbon. So my question is how many are running a mixed tank, heavy with leathers and sinularia, WITH a carbon reactor? Also, I do a 10 gal weekly water change..

(These two weeping willow leathers , one yellow one brown, have been closed for over 4 months...?..)

 

[RobZilla04]

Carbon will "polish" the water removing impurities. Typically the carbon doesn't last long, couple of weeks at the most. You could try it in a mesh bag or a reactor and see how the corals respond. Simple to remove if things change too drastically.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Carbon will "polish" the water removing impurities. Typically the carbon doesn't last long, couple of weeks at the most. You could try it in a mesh bag or a reactor and see how the corals respond. Simple to remove if things change too drastically.

RobZilla, I agree that the carbon will only last a few weeks but I’m wondering what others are doing. Are you in a similar situation as me? I tried carbon a while back (before I got several of my sinularia) and my acans, recordias, and elegant coral didn’t care for it one bit!! I assume they like water on the dirtier side...

 

[RobZilla04]

Did you rinse the carbon before putting it into the system? Rinse with RODI.

If not lots of fine dust particles will get blown around irritating the corals. There are different grains of GAC as well. The small grain will exhaust more quickly and don't have quite the absorbent capabilities, but the benefit is they work quickly. Larger grain are the opposite taking longer to exhaust and absorb much more.

Placing in a mesh bag will be must more passive at removing contaminants. Often this can be less disruptive to the livestock in the tank. If you do use a reactor, ensure the granules/pellets are tightly packed and don't tumble or they will break down creating the problem I mentioned above.

I only use GAC in a mesh bag when needed. Usually once or twice every few months. If I get a lab test back and some values are elevated that is an indication that I should run GAC to try to level some of those out.

A Poly Filter is also good at removing some contaminants as well. I used to run one all the time, but have started doing so every other filter pad change (weekly at this point).

I've got a single acan and elegance coral, neither have been effected by GAC or the Poly Filter. Nitrates 10-20ppm and Phosphate .03-.06ppm.

 

[dwest]

RobZilla, I agree that the carbon will only last a few weeks but I’m wondering what others are doing. Are you in a similar situation as me? I tried carbon a while back (before I got several of my sinularia) and my acans, recordias, and elegant coral didn’t care for it one bit!! I assume they like water on the dirtier side...

I’ve always used granular activated carbon (25 ish years). Mostly have had mixed reef tanks. Use carbon passively in a mesh bag in sump.

 

[theKoolAidMan]

I always use carbon for a few reasons.

1. It keeps the water clearer and helps prevent "yellowing" of the water
2. It helps reduce the effects of coral warfare
3. It helps reduce the impact of some "mistakes"

I personally see no reason for me not to run it all the time, provided I keep up on changing it out to ensure it doesn't start releasing things back into the tank. I usually replace every 2-4 weeks depending on what's happening with the tank.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Great! Thanks for the responses...looks like I’ll get the carbon going again.

 

[norfolkgarden]

Try a tablespoon of Rox 8 at first.

Let the tank build up to it slowly. Add an additional tablespoon a week at a time. [emoji846]

Our 75 didn't appreciate a large handful all at once.

 

[NewGoby]

I always use carbon for a few reasons.

1. It keeps the water clearer and helps prevent "yellowing" of the water
2. It helps reduce the effects of coral warfare
3. It helps reduce the impact of some "mistakes"

I personally see no reason for me not to run it all the time, provided I keep up on changing it out to ensure it doesn't start releasing things back into the tank. I usually replace every 2-4 weeks depending on what's happening with the tank.

I agree, although @Paleozoic_reefer prior to upgrading & merging my 3 small tanks into a bigger one, I did notice that when I replaced my carbon (I do so every 6-8 weeks) my leathers shrank down, and were unhappy.. Sometimes for up to 24-48 hours, then went on to shed & open up fully.
I never really found out why, but I also like to run it continously, for the reasons mentioned by @theKoolAidMan as I've never seen lasting negative effects, only the closing & shedding of my leathers.