lights out 1-3 days every 30days does wonders?

[scubadude]

Well I started reading this thread, warning: its a long one

Reef Central Online Community - No Lights for 3 Days Every Couple of Months Works Wonders!

This is very interesting.

[charlie]

Whew, I got thru the first 10 pages and the last 4.
I think if I tried this, I would only do 1 day at a time for starters, call me paranoid. I think that 1 day with no lites and one say with actinics only may be a good way to do this.
I did notice that one post said that folks with sps beware!!!!! That is why I would only do 1 day at a time. What did you think of the method?

[charlie]

You have to note that this was started because people were having algae problems. If you don't have algae problems, would there be a reason to start this method at all.
I don't mind cleaning the glass, in fact I thought it was a regular maintenance routine thing. But I can also see the thinking behind this as far as normal weather patterns go.

[FireEater]

Yea, I'm with Charlie on this one.

Now I could see where I could have the MH off for a day as I still run 6 T5's.

[charlie]

Yea, I'm with Charlie on this one.

Now I could see where I could have the MH off for a day as I still run 6 T5's.

You are an sps dominant tank, correct?

[FireEater]

Yes, I'm at 98% SPS I guess.

[charlie]

From the parts of the thread that I read, I didn't see any mention of these folks running any carbon, yet most all of them claimed great water clarity, and alot of them were associating the method with water changes. I don't quite know what to think, to be honest!!!

[charlie]

Yes, I'm at 98% SPS I guess.

Would you try it?

[FireEater]

I have a canister filter full of carbon I run. I bought 20LBS from Eric Borneman as a group buy. This stuff is so good that you actually do not have to rinse it. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to run a great quality carbon.

Aquasorb is steam activated from bituminous coal for water purification, surface area of 1100m2/g, 99.5% wettability, pH of 8 and is 0.6-1.4mm in size.

Oh, iodine numbers are 1050.

Non-existent phosphate...very very clean.

We got the slightly larger mesh size (still small) that has a slower adsorption drop rate but will last longer - same surface area, etc and 0.8-1.6mm in size. And we got 1,925 pounds (35 x 55pound bags). So we all paid $1.48 per pound.

I believe this is what he sells now under the name Elements Activated Carbon

Charlie, I doubt I would try it as I have such good growth on my SPS's and no algae problems. So why fix what is not broke. The only benefit I think I could see is that for one day when they are off, the reef thinks it's cloudy or stormy.

[art_of_war]

Could someone just summarize this for me?

[charlie]

Could someone just summarize this for me?

I think you need to read the thread and form your own opinion. There is so much that can be wriiten into this that I think it is better that way. Remeber, there is no right way to do a reef tank, you have to try things on your own and form your opinions that way. What works for you, may not work for anyone else.

[charlie]

I have a canister filter full of carbon I run. I bought 20LBS from Eric Borneman as a group buy. This stuff is so good that you actually do not have to rinse it. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to run a great quality carbon.



We got the slightly larger mesh size (still small) that has a slower adsorption drop rate but will last longer - same surface area, etc and 0.8-1.6mm in size. And we got 1,925 pounds (35 x 55pound bags). So we all paid $1.48 per pound.

I believe this is what he sells now under the name Elements Activated Carbon

Charlie, I doubt I would try it as I have such good growth on my SPS's and no algae problems. So why fix what is not broke. The only benefit I think I could see is that for one day when they are off, the reef thinks it's cloudy or stormy.

So..... you must run it 24/7. How often do you change it out?

[FireEater]

Yes, it runs 24/7 and i change it out every 4 months or so. I think we calculated with this carbon that it can run up to six months in my system.

[charlie]

Wow, that is a long time to run carbon without changing it!!!!! Have you noticed any yellowing of the water in the time you have had it running?

Oh, I do agree with you on the thoery of if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!!

[FireEater]

No, water stays crystal clear. This is from others who come over to see the system as one can grow accustom to what their tanks looks like.

It's great carbon and everyone who went in on the pallets had nothing but good to say about it.

[charlie]

Hey Mark, sorry bout leaving you high and dry on this yesterday, had the old prior commitment at the sister-in-laws. I might have to check this stuff out. Is a gallon the largest size that Marine Depot sells?

Merry Christmas!!

[FireEater]

Looks like it to me. We got ours though when we all first went in on a group order on MARSH. Back then it came straight from a distributer in BIG bags on pallets.

Later on Eric started marketing it.

Merry Christmas!

[charlie]

Even if that is the largest size, with the longevity you are talking about, it makes it a bargain!!!