To carbon or not to carbon?

[GratefulReef]

So, recently I have seen in a couple of posts and had a talk with a friend about carbon in filters. I dont use any, ever. My water is crystal clear and smells like a fish tank should not bad it smells like the ocean. I use ATO and rarely do water changes, I check my salt levels every day and add salt as needed. I have a protien skimmer, and canister filter(fluval 205) adding another 205 this week. I have also a 55g freshwater tank with 1 aquaclear 110 and a knock off tetra 30-60, runs no carbon and literally havent done a water change on in over 2 years just add water as needed, crystal clear water, super happy spawning fish. I would like to know what benefits carbon present that I am overlooking?

 

[Acrokeeper3729]

Carbon use makes water clearer by removing impurities that other filters do not. Doesn't mean its neccessary, and there are many ways to have a great looking, thriving tank with or without it. If you have a mixed reef with various leather corals they can produce toxins that other filters cant remove, carbon does a great job removing them, as well as any heavy metals or toxins that may be present in some peoples water. If you put a white bucket on the floor and fill it with tank water, it will probably have a yellow tint to it, carbon will clear up that slight yellow tint that you probably don't see, but is most likely there, this allows better light penetration which is good for sps tanks.

 

[Reefltx]

+1

And, why not run carbon? If you've never ran carbon, I guarantee you will notice a difference within a day. Think your water is clear? Take a sample of your tank water in a glass and compare it to something really white.

 

[Detroit_306]

If it ain't broke don't fix it... I was surprised how much my tank cleared up when I added carbon, I'll only use BRS rx .08

 

[GratefulReef]

mainly bc it needs to be changed pretty often from what I remember

 

[Detroit_306]

I change mine the first of every month

 

[GratefulReef]

i'll give it some thought, i have not used carbon in over two years on my freshwater, and never had it on my reef.

 

[ritter6788]

Carbon use makes water clearer by removing impurities that other filters do not. Doesn't mean its neccessary, and there are many ways to have a great looking, thriving tank with or without it. If you have a mixed reef with various leather corals they can produce toxins that other filters cant remove, carbon does a great job removing them, as well as any heavy metals or toxins that may be present in some peoples water. If you put a white bucket on the floor and fill it with tank water, it will probably have a yellow tint to it, carbon will clear up that slight yellow tint that you probably don't see, but is most likely there, this allows better light penetration which is good for sps tanks.

^^^this.

 

[EdansClownHouse]

I have heard that over long periods of time with carbon in your system, your fish will de[FONT=PT Sans, sans-serif]velop Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE). I would suggest researching this. [/FONT]

 

[Troylee]

^^^^ if you don't rinse it the dust can cause it....

 

[Aqua Craft]

There are various qualities of "activated carbon". Most will make aquarium water very clear.

However, long term use can be associated with lateral line disease.

Most importantly, activated carbon will remove essential trace ions.

E.g. Activated carbon cannot be used when treating ich. or crypt. with copper sulfate.

Thus, even without any medication, activated carbon will adsorb essential trace minerals (copper, zinc, etc.) found in natural sea water and all marine salts. The only way to test for "trace elements" is to send a sample of aquarium water to a laboratory that utilizes sophisticated test equipment. Such as atomic absorption, graphite tube atomizer, spectrographic analysis, etc.

We have avoided the use of activated carbon (worse yet, those mixed with resins) and today enjoy a tomato clown fish that is 32 years old.

When system water turns yellow, we simply make a water change.

Dust found on smaller particle size brands of activated carbon has nothing to do with lateral line disease. Dust is an indication that the particle size of the carbon is smaller than other brands. Also, dust is an indication that the carbon should have been cleaned prior to packaging and resale.

 

[illdoya]

hey all - will running carbon affect my Alk?

wanted to use it to clear up the water a bit.

How can I expect it to affect the basic water params (generally speaking)? Ca, Alk, phos, etc.?

thanks in advance!

 

[Aqua Craft]

Alkalinity is the level of carbonate hardness (dKH or KH).

Better grades of activated carbon and the amount used can raise pH. But will have little effect on KH.

 

[illdoya]

Thanks for fast reply!

So if it can raise pH - does it raise kH also? I'm new at chemistry so bear with me

KH is the "buffer capacity" of the water to buffer acidity right? Higher KH (to an extent) means greater ability of the coral to absorb the calc

I don't dose the tank and it always tests stable w/ water changes - just trying to figure out if I should be ready for parameter swings or a stripping of beneficial trace elements

 

[Aqua Craft]

"Better grades of activated carbon and the amount used can raise pH. But will have little effect on KH."

 

[caudill187]

My experience: I have always used activated carbon. Usually about 3 cups in my 200 gallon system, changed at least 2x month. I think it is indispensable in terms of keeping dissolved organics, allelopathic toxins produced by corals and macroalgaes at the necessary low levels. The effects on my trace minerals, alkality, and any other potential downsides have been minimal if any. I would suggest thorough rinsing, frequent changing, and presoaking in RO/DI water to minimize phosphate leaching (which has also been not really much of an issue....but an issue.

 

[illdoya]

"Better grades of activated carbon and the amount used can raise pH. But will have little effect on KH."

Thanks!