carbon during cycle

ccajigas07 · May 17, 2013

Hey guys my tanks a bit cloudy tomorrow will be week 2 of my cycle process and I want to know if I should run my carbon reactor already

Reefing Madness · May 17, 2013

No reason to run it. But it also won't hurt at this point if you want it cleared up. I don't like running carbon at all. For this reason
Activated Carbon: HLLE Smoking Gun Found | Coral Magazine

ccajigas07 · May 18, 2013

Reefing Madness said:
No reason to run it. But it also won't hurt at this point if you want it cleared up. I don't like running carbon at all. For this reason
Activated Carbon: HLLE Smoking Gun Found | Coral Magazine

Would this happen if I use good carbon

mike007 · May 18, 2013

Since you have no fish yet carbon would be okay. I prefer Seachem matrix carbon myself. Been using for years with no problems.

Alabamareef · May 18, 2013

Could it be cloudy from a powerhead stirring up sand. Or an algae bloom.....

NanaReefer · May 18, 2013

More likely a bacterial bloom, it will clear up.

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Keepnitreel · May 18, 2013

Why run carbon in a cycling tank? Bacterial blooms are part of the cycle & will clear up on its own, like @nanareefer said.

Just a waste of carbon IMO

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46gReef · May 18, 2013

Keepnitreel said:
Why run carbon in a cycling tank? Bacterial blooms are part of the cycle & will clear up on its own, like @nanareefer said.

Just a waste of carbon IMO

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I would agree with that, there's no real benefit to running carbon at this point IMO, once you start adding fish/corals would be the time to start.....

Alabamareef · May 19, 2013

Reading back over everything I'm guessing this is your first marine aquarium. So a couple of things come to mind. First it's great your asking for advice. R2R is a great resource but remember there are several ways to be successful in this hobby. Several people are asking, "why even run carbon in a cycle". I would agree at this point seems like a wast of money and trust me, you'll drop some coin in this hobby. I don't think it's going to help or hurt anything.
Knowing you've got carbon tells me you want to see that crystal clear water. That will come in time. Your going to have several things to deal with, ie, bacterial blooms, diatoms, nitrates, phosphates..... The list goes on but the things you learn now will help later. Good husbandry, your tank maintenance, will put you on the right track. I say that hoping you don't fall victim to a lot of the cure all snake oil treatments. Take things in steps like some good water test kits. If your wanting a reef you'll have Ca, Alk, Mg to deal with.
Sorry for the rant, just remember everything that happens in your reef, at this stage, will usually involve you waiting it out along with good husbandry and water changes.
Good luck and keep posting questions.