Using Carbon?

[MidwestReefer]

hello everyone. I was told today at my LFS that I shouldn't/ don't need to run carbon on my tank all the time.. but only when, and or if I need it. My tank is 13.5 gl, 12 working gallons, with 1.5 gl sump, and holds about 10gl after water displacement. im finishing up cycling the tank, and will do 10% to %15 WC every week. should i run carbon all the time or no?

 

[Oscar47f]

Its really up to you.. I run carbon because i want to make sure that any pigments in the water are gone allowing for better light penetration(for corals), and it helps remove any chemical toxins from corals ect.. You don't have to use it all the time and can certainly get by on water changes.

 

[40B Knasty]

I haven't used carbon in my 13g for 3 years or my saltwater 20g transferred into a 40B for a year and 3 months.
Your LFS is correct. Maybe if you get an oder then sure throw a bag in for a week. They don't last long. If you think about it. People use carbon reactors with 10x the amount you or I would use in a bag and they change it out every week. So the amount of carbon we would use is about 2 days worth of actually being beneficial to the tank.
I use Marine Pure, Purigen, and a sponge.
Sponge collect the big particles. Rinse it in used tank water in the bucket when doing a water change.
Purigen needs to be in a bag that holds very fine particles. Change it every 6 months. Targets ammonia and nitrates.
Marine Pure has such a huge amount of porosity to harbor so much more beneficial bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria being one of them. That is what turns nitrates into a gas form to bubble up and out of your tank. So if you are turning those nitrates into a gas form before it goes back into your tank. You are cutting the tanks removal of nitrates dramatically.

 

[MidwestReefer]

Also just curious, the LFS said running carbon too long can strip good stuff out your water as well?

 

[BigHildy53]

Type of carbon matters also. For example, Seachem renew will clean the water without being too aggressive. I run ZEOvit.

 

[pettoe90]

I heard that carbon makes for a good biological filter as well

 

[Oscar47f]

Also just curious, the LFS said running carbon too long can strip good stuff out your water as well?

I heard that carbon makes for a good biological filter as well

Carbon can provide surface area for biological filtration however thats not what its typically used for... And no it will not strip everything good out of the water especially if you follow the recommended amount for your tank.. Too much carbon may be a problem but just the right amount or less will not harm the system just be sure to change it once its been exhausted

 

[MidwestReefer]

Awesome answers guys, thanks very much. After some thought Im gonna try out the Purigen, and keep some carbon on hand, for when I need some. Considering frequency at which I'm doing WC, and the small volume I work with, Clarity shouldnt be a huge deal, with the light bio load I'm running at the moment.. but time will tell haha.

 

[40B Knasty]

Awesome answers guys, thanks very much. After some thought Im gonna try out the Purigen, and keep some carbon on hand, for when I need some. Considering frequency at which I'm doing WC, and the small volume I work with, Clarity shouldnt be a huge deal, with the light bio load I'm running at the moment.. but time will tell haha.

Make sure the purigen in not tight in the bag or in the holding area. Very soft pillow in the bag and room to have little tumble. That's why I will recommend making your own bag. It maybe form fit for the premade bag, but the room you have in the compartment might not be.

 

[MidwestReefer]

Make sure the purigen in not tight in the bag or in the holding area. Very soft pillow in the bag and room to have little tumble. That's why I will recommend making your own bag. It maybe form fit for the premade bag, but the room you have in the compartment might not be.

So do you cut a Large opening in your foam block for it to have room, or do you have it in its own compartment?

 

[40B Knasty]

What kind of filter do you have? Is it a single slide in cartridge for a carbon like the Aqueon 10

 

[BigHildy53]

Purigen can be used in a BRS deluxe canister also. That's how I do it on my freshwater tank

 

[MidwestReefer]

What kind of filter do you have? Is it a single slide in cartridge for a carbon like the Aqueon 10

It's a foam media rack style.. So a foam block about 9 1/2 inch tall, with two squares cut out of it. I have 3 big slots in my built in sump on the back of my all in one tank. the first opening is for a optional protein skimmer, second opening holds the media rack, and the third houses the return pump, heater, and ATO. Since i'm not running a skimmer, I put another foam block in the first chamber, because debris was settling at the bottom before it carried over the second chamber with the original filter rack.

 

[MidwestReefer]

my 13.5 peninsula for reference