To carbon or not to carbon

[NanaReefer]

Almost 4yrs reefing here. No sps. LPS/softies/fish only. Have never used carbon of any kind. Mechanical filtration only.

I do use carbon in my sons work boots though

 

[Downbeach]

I have a 180 gal. mixed reef, predominantly SPS, and use the BRS ROX 0.8 carbon. I have been using it for years without a problem, I also have a few Tangs, and do not show any signs of HLLE. The study (HERE) that was done on carbon causing HLLE, were using a lignite (made from coal) type of carbon.

Here are some articles worth reading:

Filtration Basics by Doug Wojtczak - Reefkeeping.com
Activated Carbon
Activated Carbon in the Marine Tank
Activated Carbon for the Aquarium
Activated Carbon in the Aquarium