Activated Carbon

[jack89]

Greetings,

Many of us are using activated carbon in our reef tank. Here are the few questions that i have

1) why do you use it ?
2) how frequent do you change it ?
3) do you see any positive negative effect on your corals while changing or using carbon ?
4) which carbon do u use ? why ?
5) which is the best carbon to use in reef tank ?

 

[jack89]

soo to start the discussion i will start with the answers

1) i use the carbon for better water clarity mixing it in media reactor with few table spoons of rowaphos.
2) i change it every 3 weeks
3) no positive or negative effect that i personally see except the water clarity
4) i use seachem as it is available with LFS on regular basis
5) need suggestions ...

 

[Downbeach]

I would not mix the GAC with the GFO in a reactor unless you're running it in reverse flow to keep the media from tumbling. Otherwise, the GFO will grind the GAC into dust(fines), and may cause HLLE, here. I run both GAC and GFO in separate reactor's, but run the GAC in reverse, even though its not mixed with any GFO. GFO needs to be kept just fluidized enough so that it doesn't solidify, and its best if GAC doesn't move at all.
Over many years of use, I've found that the ROX 0.8 GAC gives me the most bang for my buck, and is the cleanest, most effective carbon I've used.
I use GAC more as a preventative media, guarding against allelopathy, keeping the water more clear, and helping to eliminate any unwanted odors.
I replace it monthly since I believe it will be so coated with bacteria by that time as to leave its adsorbtion properities inaffective.

Along with the article I previously linked, here is some more reading:
http://www.hallman.org/filter/gac.html
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_7/volume_7_1/carbon.html
http://www.fishlore.com/activated-carbon-aquarium.htm
https://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/does-a-reef-tank-need-carbon/
http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/activated-carbon-hlle-smoking-gun-found
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/activated-carbon-affirmed-as-causative-agent-for-hlle-disease

 

[jack89]

Thank you very much. the links are very helpful i ll have to go through each for the details ...

we dont get ROX 0.8 here... so i use seachem matrix.

I tumble the Seachem Matrix carbon in the reactor... I use bubble magnus reactor mini 70...

Next time during the change i will keep in mind not to use GAC and GFO in the same reactor...

One more question now where to put seachem carbon than ?? just keep in sump and leave it ?

 

[Downbeach]

You can use GAC in a media bag, passively, placed in a high flow area of your sump. GFO needs to be tumbling. Have you checked your PO4(with what). Are you sure you even need to run the GFO?

 

[melypr1985]

Is phosguard the same thing as GFO? I have phosguard in the same reactor as my carbon. It doesn't tumble any more though... I just set it up two weeks ago. I think I need a stronger pump on it

 

[Downbeach]

Although phosgard is used to help reduce PO4, it isn't GFO(iron base), its Alumina Oxide(aluminum base). I have not used it due to an article I read suggesting that GFO would be a better choice, so I can't comment on the best way to deploy it.

 

[melypr1985]

Although phosgard is used to help reduce PO4, it isn't GFO(iron base), its Alumina Oxide(aluminum base). I have not used it due to an article I read suggesting that GFO would be a better choice, so I can't comment on the best way to deploy it.

That's what I thought too. Just needed confirmation I guess. I'll need to do more research myself before I go making any changes to it.