2 carbon or not 2 carbon.

[heathd.hd]

So I'm debating my use of carbon in my sps dominate tank. So far I've been using 1 cup in a sump bag with 1 cup of gfo. Everything seems fine but I'm questioning if I should stop. I'm not Ulns or anything I feed heavy have a pretty good fish load and up until this week I've been using water from the lfs. I just got a spectrapure Rodi unit and will be setting that up this week as I have time. So with that said I will know positively 0 tds water I'm debating on saying good by to my carbon use. Thoughts?

 

[heathd.hd]

No one with a opinion? Or just not wanting to open this debate up? Lol

 

[hart24601]

Carbon is good at picking up organics that the skimmer can't. Why do you not want to use it?

 

[hawkinsrgk]

I will bite and give my opinion.

I have been using 0 TDS water for everything in my current setup from the beginning (~ 2 yrs) and when I change out carbon I can immediately see a difference and when it gets close to the end of life for the GFO I can see a difference. For example. I am about 6 days from changing GFO and I am starting to see hair algae on the sandbed in a spot.

So with that being said, I think when you take them offline you will be able to see what it has been helping

 

[heathd.hd]

Alot of people think it causes issues in sps tanks. Also the hlle deal with tangs.

 

[heathd.hd]

randyholmesfarley have you done any research on this?

 

[hart24601]

I have heard of the issue with tangs. What issue with sps?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@randyholmesfarley have you done any research on this?

I've not studied it, but I have heard of sufficient concerns with GAC and tangs to only use acid washed carbon (such as ROX). I used Marineland Black Diamond previouslyand had tang issues. Now I do not, although that isn't the only difference.

I've not heard of GAC and SPS issues.

 

[heathd.hd]

Manly low nutrient systems. I guess. People say they have problems. Maybe stripping the water of to many trace minerals and sps stn.

 

[hawkinsrgk]

I've not studied it, but I have heard of sufficient concerns with GAC and tangs to only use acid washed carbon (such as ROX). I used Marineland Black Diamond previouslyand had tang issues. Now I do not, although that isn't the only difference.

I've not heard of GAC and SPS issues.

The only GAC that I have used is BRS Rox. So that may be the reason I have never had a problem

 

[heathd.hd]

Maybe I'm just buying I to the paranoid people lol. I asked adam .. battle corals and he said when he's used it he had damage so he stays away from it. With that being said I know his nutrients are on the low side. I'm probably just gonna stop use because I don't think I need it.

 

[labas39]

I primarily have acros and I started using carbon after doing some research. What I've read is that the dustier carbons, such as lignite and bituminous, cause the hlle. Since ROX 0.8 is much more dust free, it apparently is much safer.

BRS has two good videos: one that compares the three carbon types' efficiency and another on how much PAR is lost to yellowed water.

 

[DFW]

Just use some when, and if things start smelling fishy.

 

[heathd.hd]

Just use some when, and if things start smelling fishy.

Well that just sounds fishy!

 

[kacrocorals581]

I use and change bi weekly in my sps tank

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I use and change bi weekly in my sps tank

Same

 

[tonymission]

I think too much too soon can cause problems. Start small. Really only good can come from it.

 

[heathd.hd]

Thanks guys guess I'm just reading to far into things ... paranoia. Lol

 

[Pife]

I use it to polish the water.

 

[ReefBum]

I have used it in my SPS heavy tanks over the years to prevent any yellowness in the water and keep any potential odors at bay. Works for me.