Carbon Usage In Reefs Tanks

[Kashi]

I have read the pros and cons and have read many articles by respected Reefers using or not using carbon.

I am thinking of using carbon on my 125 gal tank. I have a healthy refugium with a good growth of caulerpa and gracilaria.

It looks like my water might be a bit yellow. It once was very clear.

How many people use Activated Carbon on there reef tanks?

Do you use continously or once in a while?

If you use carbon, what type of canister do you use?

Thanks

[reefer504]

I throw some in my sump every other month and leave it there for a day or two.

[viper12775]

i keep carbon in my reef tank all the time i have a micron bag and i put 1/2 lb in it and put it in my sump so the water from the overflow hits it and i change it once a month

[Reefland]

I have used it in the past for short term and long term. I think if your water appears to have a tint to it you should add some for a week or so and see if that clears it up. If it does and then returns to the tinted shade, it might be something for you to use long term.

Just my thoughts,
Scott Z.

[Kashi]

Thanks for the replies!

I thought for carbon to be effective you have to force water through via a canister filter. If merely putting it in the sump works; that would be great and save me a 100 or so bucks for the canister!

Any thoughts ??

[Papa Doug]

I have always used it 24/7. Always will.

[Ninong]

Originally posted by Kashi:

I thought for carbon to be effective you have to force water through via a canister filter.

That would be the way to achieve maximum effectiveness and maximum efficiency. It is the method advocated by people like Richard Harker, who did an entire article ripping Julian Sprung's approach.

If merely putting it in the sump works; that would be great and save me a 100 or so bucks for the canister!

This is the approach advocated by Delbeek and Sprung in TRA. According to them it isn't necessary to achieve maximum efficiency or effectiveness to achieve excellent results. They point out that too much water force might cause the particles to rub against each other and disintegrate.

Besides the different opinions about placement of carbon, there is a considerable range of opinions about how long it remains effective. In other words, how often it should be replaced, assuming one is running it 24/7. As far as the opinions on frequency of usage are concerned, they range from two or three days once every three months to five or six days every month to 24/7.

Some people are convinced that carbon depletes important trace elements from the aquarium and others are convinced that any trace elements depleted are more than made up with food input into the aquarium. Delbeek and Sprung advocate using carbon on a regular basis but they also advocate regular additions of trace elements such as strontium and iodide to name a couple. Their claim that strontium and iodide (and other trace elements) must be added on a regular basis is widely disputed by many others who consider it unfounded.

There is also a very wide range of opinions among the so-called experts about how much carbon is necessary.

Why not start out with passive placement in the sump and try it for one week every month and see if you want to increase it to 24/7 or to more active placement.

[Papa Doug]

Sorry, I also run mine in the sump.

[Kashi]

Thanks Ninong, very informative!

I will try your suggestion and place it in the sump and see the results before buying a canister.



viper12775 - How big is your tank. I want to get an idea of how much carbon to use

[viper12775]

it's only a 46 gallon bow front about 52 gallons with the sump

[Ninong]

Originally posted by Kashi:

I want to get an idea of how much carbon to use.

Albert Thiel recommends 36 oz per 100 gallons. Peter Wilkens recommends 500 grams per 100 liters, which is almost the same. Delbeek and Sprung suggest that those are upper limits and recommend starting out with about half that amount.

It all depends on the bioload in your aquarium and the sort of inhabitants. Why not start out with 16 oz and see how things go.

[Kashi]

Ok, will do.

Thanks!