Questions about carbon and vinegar

[Chris Harbaugh]

I would like to ask about a couple of things I read on here about proper dps coral care for newbies.

1. It is suggested that a form of carbon filtration is needed because dps corals emit toxins to inhibit the growth of other corals around them when they since there presence. I have been told to not use carbon, or to only use sparingly, as in just once a month for a day or to just use a carbon reactor, or not too because it's another piece of equipment that could and will at sometime break ect.ect.ect.. 1st, will protein skimmers take these toxins out of the water?? And second is it really a choice to use carbon or is it nessesary?

 

[Chris Harbaugh]

Sorry.. I have a 125g mixed reef with a 55g refugium and a 30g mixed reef with a 20g refugium

 

[BlueCursor]

I think you are confusing two things. Vinegar is used for carbon dosing to stimulate bacteria growth. The bacteria consume nitrates and lower nitrates in the reef tank after being removed by a skimmer.

Carbon for removing toxins is granular activated carbon (GAC). This is the black stuff and it absorbs toxins from corals. Using it does not lower nitrates.

Some people swear by GAC and some people never use it. GAC is a debated topic. A skimmer will also remove many of the toxins produced by corals.

I skim. I only run GAC when I upset my corals and they release toxins. Like after I trim back my zoas that are encroaching on other corals. Many reefers never use GAC at all; many use it 24/7. Like I said, it's debated. If you google the pros and cons of it you will see what I mean.

GAC can be put in a reactor or in a fine mesh bag that is placed where water flows through it, such as a sump sock. If you intend to constantly run GAC, you should get a reactor. You can control the flow better.

 

[Chris Harbaugh]

I think you are confusing two things. Vinegar is used for carbon dosing to stimulate bacteria growth. The bacteria consume nitrates and lower nitrates in the reef tank after being removed by a skimmer.

Carbon for removing toxins is granular activated carbon (GAC). This is the black stuff and it absorbs toxins from corals. Using it does not lower nitrates.

Some people swear by GAC and some people never use it. GAC is a debated topic. A skimmer will also remove many of the toxins produced by corals.

I skim. I only run GAC when I upset my corals and they release toxins. Like after I trim back my zoas that are encroaching on other corals. Many reefers never use GAC at all; many use it 24/7. Like I said, it's debated. If you google the pros and cons of it you will see what I mean.

GAC can be put in a reactor or in a fine mesh bag that is placed where water flows through it, such as a sump sock. If you intend to constantly run GAC, you should get a reactor. You can control the flow better.

Thanks for the feed back. I assume that you are saying that corals release toxins, you mean when a Acropora releases slime that I see when I ist put a Acro In my tank or when I move one because I have no polyp extension meaning the Acro is unhappy where it is.. I think I will try and just let my skimmer do the work.. I will monitor it though because I just put 5 Acro in my tanks from that WWC live sale last week and I noticed that "acro" smell coming from my tank the next day when I got off work.. I immediately did a water change and things seem fine know, no more slimming going on.. I was just worried because I don't want the toxins building up and killing what I have.. I'm just going to think on it for a bit.. thanks for the reply.