Is carbon a sps killer ??? Did I mess up again??

[AdamB]

I recently added the recommended amount of carbon matrix in my sump 4 days ago near my return pump and today I noticed my sps’s turning pale? My acans and lps look okay right now .Salinity 1.024, alk 9, nitrates 0, phosphates 0, temp is at 79.
I remember 3 years back that I added too much activated carbon in my sump and noticed my yellow tang contracting possibly HLLE and some (not all) sps were fading /bleaching and I actually lost some Montiporas during that time . I removed the carbon when I noticed issues but it was too late for a few species of coral. I assumed that carbon was the issue back then and now since that was the only thing I changed both times in my tanks?
So I just wanted to see what everyone’s experience has been and to see if I messed up on adding carbon?
I’ve heard carbon will strip nutrients out rapidly and will cause that but not for sure .
I plan on doing 20% water change tomorrow morning .

 

[lexinverts]

This has happened to me before with sps.
Adding too much carbon too fast, strips some elements from the water, I think. Just pull the carbon and do a water change.

 

[CivicS14]

I run carbon 24/7 and I have a full acro tank. Your problem is more likely no nutrients.

high alk with zero phosphates or nitrates = pale acros.

what test kits are you using?

 

[mta_morrow]

I run carbon 24/7 and I have a full acro tank. Your problem is more likely no nutrients.

high alk with zero phosphates or nitrates = pale acros.

what test kits are you using?

This^^^^^^^

 

[AdamB]

I run carbon 24/7 and I have a full acro tank. Your problem is more likely no nutrients.

high alk with zero phosphates or nitrates = pale acros.

what test kits are you using?
Salifert

 

[lexinverts]

Pull the carbon AND raise your nutrients.
I shoot for .05 phosphate and 5-10 for nitrate.

 

[eraser2001]

I also have full sps tank and I never see a problem with carbon.
How much carbon did you add?
If you want to have run a ultra low system (zeovit system) , I recomend to reduce your alk. If not bump no3 to 3 o 5 ppm and you will see how the colors will improve

 

[AdamB]

Pull the carbon AND raise your nutrients.
I shoot for .05 phosphate and 5-10 for nitrate.
Pulled the carbon.Thanks!

This has happened to me before with sps.
Adding too much carbon too fast, strips some elements from the water, I think. Just pull the carbon and do a water change.

Pull the carbon AND raise your nutrients.
I shoot for .05 phosphate and 5-10 for nitrate.

I run carbon 24/7 and I have a full acro tank. Your problem is more likely no nutrients.

high alk with zero phosphates or nitrates = pale acros.

what test kits are you using?

 

[AdamB]

This has happened to me before with sps.
Adding too much carbon too fast, strips some elements from the water, I think. Just pull the carbon and do a water change.
I was afraid y’all were going to say that! Thanks for the help. Hopefully my montipora sp. will rebound . Funny my 3 acros didn’t seem to be effected ?

 

[Billldg]

Agree with above on several things, but mostly that your Alk is going to be to high for no nutrients. I learned this lesson the hard way, this happens to all of us. I would bump up your N03 and P04.

 

[AdamB]

I also have full sps tank and I never see a problem with carbon.
How much carbon did you add?
If you want to have run a ultra low system (zeovit system) , I recomend to reduce your alk. If not bump no3 to 3 o 5 ppm and you will see how the colors will improve

I added the recommended amount of matrix carbon for my volume per directions .I will try to bump up my nitrates .Thanks!

Also, This is my first tank that I incorporated a refugium with chaeto.. i assume use of chaeto might be an issue with also adding carbon due to nitrate export?

 

[AdamB]

Agree with above on several things, but mostly that your Alk is going to be to high for no nutrients. I learned this lesson the hard way, this happens to all of us. I would bump up your N03 and P04.

Thanks! I understand. Yes, I think I had a mental block of this same thing happening 3 years ago with my other tank! Also I am growing chaeto . Do I need to pull a lot of it out now and leave a small piece to grow? This is the first setup I had running a refugium .

 

[X-37B]

I always start low with any addition. BRS calculator says .81 cups of ROX. I run 4 tablespoons which is 1/4 cup.

 

[AdamB]

Gotcha. I should have been more cautious with carbon.
Thanks!

 

[Billldg]

I would pull some. Do you have any supplements, like NeoPHos and NeoNitro. I also have a SPS dominant tank and keep these on hand is case my nutrient get to low as I also had a bought with Dinos because I didn't fully understand the importance of anything BUT 0 nutrients at the time.

Oh, and before i get ahead of myself, don't do to many things at one time as this can also cause issues, sometimes we forget that as we try to help.

 

[Jet915]

I run carbon 24/7 and my acros are growing fine. Like others have said, you should either lower your alk or increase your nutrients.

 

[lexinverts]

I run carbon 24/7 and my acros are growing fine. Like others have said, you should either lower your alk or increase your nutrients.

A lot of people do. The problem is when you add too much carbon, too fast. Your sps can pale in this case, even if your nutrients are at an ideal level, IME.

 

[AdamB]

I would pull some. Do you have any supplements, like NeoPHos and NeoNitro. I also have a SPS dominant tank and keep these on hand is case my nutrient get to low as I also had a bought with Dinos because I didn't fully understand the importance of anything BUT 0 nutrients at the time.

Oh, and before i get ahead of myself, don't do to many things at one time as this can also cause issues, sometimes we forget that as we try to help.

Thanks for the info. One thing about this hobby .. you never stop learning. I don’t have those supplements but I surely will Asap.
I have been dosing acropower 10ml a week for about a month .
I just started adding sps a month ago In this tank so thank goodness I don’t have that many when I added carbon!
Yes . I agree .. I’ve learned that lesson as well! Thank you !

 

[AdamB]

A lot of people do. The problem is when you add too much carbon, too fast. Your sps can pale in this case, even if your nutrients are at an ideal level, IME.

Yep. My coral were looking great before I added carbon.. Hopefully they will bounce back!

 

[AdamB]

I just finished a large water change. Removed half of my cheato out of refugium and cross my fingers I don’t loose anything !
My montipora digitata and other sps are still not looking great .