If you run carbon or have considered it look here.

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I have never been one to run carbon on a regular basis and really not much ever at all. I'm not a fan of having to change it out consistently. That being said I want to do what is best for my system so I am considering getting a regiment going!

So I have a few questions.

I have about 450g of water.

1. What size reactor would I need?

2. How often would it need to be changed out?

3. What carbon do you use?

4. What benefits of running carbon do you experience?

image via @ravi197699

 

[Crabs McJones]

Don't mind me. I'm following along. As someone whose never used carbon regularly, I am also curious

 

[Reefinny Verified Sponsor]

I have about the same water volume I use the vertex 1.5 as I have been through a few. I find this one of the easier maintenance wise.

I do about half of the reactor once a month.

I am full blown mixed Reef, heavy fish and corals with clams.

Mike

 

[Sea MunnKey]

I do run carbon because:

Of couple of Leather corals which may release toxins to ward off other corals,
Polish water
Eliminate smell

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I have a 75G I run carbon 24/7 1cup and a half of ESV Carbon (I used ROX in the past)change it out once a month I find that carbon helps to keep my water clean and also helps with any coral chemical warfare.

 

[Webslinger]

I run carbon once every month for a couple days then take it offline and change it out for the next time. Carbon only last for a few days then doesn't do much. For a reactor use a size that won't go through your sponges. I use rox 0.8 but any activated will do the job. Some corals don't like carbon run continuously (some LPS)

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I have about the same water volume I use the vertex 1.5 as I have been through a few. I find this one of the easier maintenance wise.

I do about half of the reactor once a month.

I am full blown mixed Reef, heavy fish and corals with clams.

Mike

How long do you run it once you swap it out?

 

[jsker]

I used to run carbon on occasions. I have not run carbon in over a year since I switched to a seeded bio media.

 

[homer1475]

I always run carbon, always have. If anything its to cut down on that low tide smell.

I don't change it with any regularity, just when I can start to smell the tank. Of course I have no softies "spitting" in the water either.

 

[Reefinny Verified Sponsor]

How long do you run it once you swap it out?

Mine just runs. It is not as effective after 2 weeks, I use a course one and don't tumble. The vertex let's me adjust the sponge and plate down on the carbon.

 

[mahindra.dev]

I run carbon all the time. Either in a reactor or bags in the overflow. I see the difference in water clarity. I used to use Chemipure Elite and now use Rox 0.8 from BRS

 

[Greybeard]

Mixed reef, softies, LPS...

I run carbon as needed. If the tank water starts looking a bit yellow, a day with the reactor on, and it's crystal clear again. One of my corals not opening all the way? Carbon is the 1st thing I'll try... many times, that fixes whatever the problem was. Typically, I'll run it a couple of days every month.

Same with GFO... but that's for a measurable problem. Phosphates get higher than I like, a little GFO for a few days cleans it right up.

150g system, BRS dual reactor, 1.5 cups of GAC, I'm using Marineland brand now, but I buy whatever is cheap.

 

[Aardvark1134]

Have you tried chemipure? I have found you only need to change it about every 90 days.

 

[Rpc07]

Following along

 

[paul barker]

I use chemipure bags I like it

 

[kirbuno]

I've never tried carbon for fear for my tangs getting what is referred to as head and lateral line erosion (HLLE). Anybody using carbon for a long period of time with no effect on their tangs?

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I have a 75G I run carbon 24/7 1cup and a half of ESV Carbon (I used ROX in the past)change it out once a month I find that carbon helps to keep my water clean and also helps with any coral chemical warfare.

Forget I use TLF150 reactor.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I've never tried carbon for fear for my tangs getting what is referred to as head and lateral line erosion (HLLE). Anybody using carbon for a long period of time with no effect on their tangs?

Running it for years with tangs in my tank

 

[Mark Teitelman]

FWIW I just drop a bag of chemipure next to my return pump in the last chamber of my sump. So it runs passively but I get some benefit and it is never too much. Seems to work and I have a full mixed reef

 

[reefwiser]

Here are a couple of podcasts that I find explains the use of Carbon an the myths and how to use. Also about carbon and the different types and how to best use it.

https://www.tankonfire.com/shop/
An good carbon

Like all additives you need to know about to how best use it and why you use it. There are many types of carbon out there being sold and not all work well in an aquarium.


http://traffic.libsyn.com/tankonfire/tof002.mp3
http://traffic.libsyn.com/tankonfire/tof003.mp3