Carbon vs. No Carbon

[MysticSea]

I am curious to know what are your thoughts on people that don't use carbon either it be balls or meshes to those that don't? I personally don't with my 24 gallon reef tank I used live rocks and nitrate and/or phosphate meshes. I know people that do and don't use carbon so it'll be interesting to know others thoughts. Also the reason is that I don't use carbon is primarily the cost on replacing and I do keep in mind the multiple factors while not using carbon like certain corals emitting toxins or chemical warfare therefore I have my corals placed accordingly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I used GAC 24/7 and it is a useful way to reduce the yellowing of aquarium water, as well as removing organic toxins, and possibly even metals bound to organics (could be a pro or con).

 

[MysticSea]

I used GAC 24/7 and it is a useful way to reduce the yellowing of aquarium water, as well as removing organic toxins, and possibly even metals bound to organics (could be a pro or con).

Interesting and what is GSC?

 

[MysticSea]

Interesting and what is GSC?

I mean GAC?

 

[HB AL]

I use it 24/7 definitely doesn't hurt a thing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

GAC is the acronym for granular activated carbon. The black stuff everyone uses. There are many types and many brands, but it is all called granular activated carbon.

 

[MysticSea]

GAC is the acronym for granular activated carbon. The black stuff everyone uses. There are many types and many brands, but it is all called granular activated carbon.

Got it I will keep that in mind for future tanks.

 

[Kerinin]

I resisted carbon for awhile because I was worried about it absorbing beneficial particulates for while. I tried adding some to my fuge at some point (don’t remember why) and all of a sudden my water looked amazing! I hadn’t realized there was anything wrong in the first place but the change was immediate and impressive. Highly recommend.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

GAC is the acronym for granular activated carbon. The black stuff everyone uses. There are many types and many brands, but it is all called granular activated carbon.

I use GAC in a reactor 24/7... how often should I replace the GAC? I recently read that it doesn’t last very long. I am curious about “why” it doesn’t last very long

 

[ReefLab]

It makes the water crystal clear. I run it 24/7 in a reactor off a manifold.

 

[Bossman]

I also think it helps control odor. Sometimes in the winter when my house is closed up, it smells like a big aquarium. I think carbon also helps with that.

 

[Wes10C]

What is carbons role in fighting dinos?

 

[Greg P]

I've been reefing for about 8 years. I started by running GAC 24/7 in a reactor.
About 4 years in, when my Yellow Tang developed HLLE, I stopped using it. At that time I also got rid of all LPS and now only keep SPS, a couple Gorgs and a patch of GSP.
The removed corals would be the only reason I'd consider running carbon regularly again - due to possible coral warfare chemicals. But my SPS get along so no carbon for me.

My Tang's HLLE cleared up that summer in 2016 and I now only run carbon if I feel the need, but for the most part my tank water stays very clear. I judge it by adding some tank water to a white bucket and maybe twice a year I'll run a small amount for a few days if the water isn't blue.

I should add;
I use a 7" sock and a decent skimmer 24/7.
Plus I need to dose NO3 and PO4 as my SPS keep my nutrients very low.
And until I can stop dosing those 2, my bi-monthly 25% WC is currently only monthly.
These thing could be helping me not needing to use carbon.

 

[Ike]

GAC's primary use is to remove gelbstoff or yellowing compounds from the water, which are essentially pollutants. It has other benefits and possible negatives, but using it for a couple days once every month or two goes a long way towards keeping water clear, which has a few benefits.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I use GAC in a reactor 24/7... how often should I replace the GAC? I recently read that it doesn’t last very long. I am curious about “why” it doesn’t last very long

how long it lasts depends on many factors and what your expectations for it are. GAC works by binding organic molecules onto its surfaces (it has very high internal surface area). It gets depleted as the available binding sites become occupied. It can also get coated with a film of bacteria in a week or more, regardless of whether it is binding organic matter.

You can determine for yourself how often to replace it by observing the yellowness of the water (yellow means replace, use more, or have better flow through it).

I think changing it once every week or two is generally fine if it is not an emergency situation, like a dead fish known to release toxins.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

how long it lasts depends on many factors and what your expectations for it are. GAC works by binding organic molecules onto its surfaces (it has very high internal surface area). It gets depleted as the available binding sites become occupied. It can also get coated with a film of bacteria in a week or more, regardless of whether it is binding organic matter.

You can determine for yourself how often to replace it by observing the yellowness of the water (yellow means replace, use more, or have better flow through it).

I think changing it once every week or two is generally fine if it is not an emergency situation, like a dead fish known to release toxins.

Thank you Randy!

 

[piranhaman00]

Is it true that carbon causes HITH/HLLE ? I come from fresh where carbon is considered a major culprit of HITH for large cichlids (oscars primarily) and I am seeing it come up with tangs in salt. Any thoughts on this?

 

[TheDuude]

I typically run carbon only when I feel it is needed. I can definately see the benefit as the water in my tank looks extremely clear when running it but I have a juvenile Biota tang which is showing slight signs of HLLE so I have been avoiding carbon as much as possible.

Not 100% convinced carbon leads to HLLE but do not want to risk it.

should I not worry about it? I would like to run GAC 24/7 for the improved clarity

 

[92Miata]

Is it true that carbon causes HITH/HLLE ? I come from fresh where carbon is considered a major culprit of HITH for large cichlids (oscars primarily) and I am seeing it come up with tangs in salt. Any thoughts on this?

My understanding is its from carbon particles/dust clogging the lateral line pores. Most of the reports I've seen that seem reliable are large reactors where the carbon may be getting crushed/ground/etc.

 

[danieyella]

I have a 90g tank, probably about 105 with sump... I run 1/4 cup of rox .8 on the lowest setting of an aquamaxx in tank reactor (in my sump). I change it weekly. I run it to help mitigate coral warfare, and thankfully neither of my tangs show signs of HLLE. I've been running this way for about 2 months now (bags previously) and when I occasionally allow life to get in the way and forget to change it weekly like usual, I start to see some corals pout... generally changing it helps fix that within a few hours.