spmnarciso
Active Member
I don't quite get the carbon addition yet. When is it time to add carbon? Cloudy water? Smell? Once a month? And what kind do most people use. What kind of bag do you use?(microns)
For how long?
For how long?
Carbon ?????????'s
- Thread starter spmnarciso
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yellowtail
Active Member
i dont know the brand name of my bag but it is used for putting various things for sw and fw in.it may help clouding but wont help the smell. i run carbon 24/7
yellowtail
Active Member
o,and the bag has a drawstring on the top of it
spmnarciso
Active Member
I've seen those. but some have a micron size to them. I assume you place the carbon in the bag and then rinse it off to remove any dust...right? And I don't have a smell, I was just wondering as to why people use it.
T
thomas712
Guest
Originally posted by spmnarciso
And I don't have a smell, I was just wondering as to why people use it.
Activated Carbons / Charcoals - The Rundown
by Richard M. Greenfield
First published in the (now closed) British Marine Aquarists Association Journal
Aquarticles
Why is activated carbon used in aquaria?
We are all aware that the aquarium livestock generates toxic ammonia, which is converted in steps to relatively harmless nitrate by bacteria living in the filter bed. There are, however, a number of other contaminants generated in small amounts by the life process which can, over a period of time build up to a high enough to affect the health of the inhabitants of the aquarium.
A slight yellow tinge to the water can indicate the presence of at least one such contaminant. The most important function of activated carbon is to remove these impurities before they reach levels high enough to cause distress or organ damage.
Activated carbon performs other important tasks in the aquarium as well, removing toxic dissolved gasses such as hydrogen sulphide and methane, which result from imperfect water circulation. It acts as a catalyst to quickly convert dissolved chlorine gas to relatively harmless hydrogen chloride. It provides crystal clear water by removing minute suspended solids and colloids - those particles too small to be trapped by filter floss. It helps defend aquarium life on some occasions of accidental introduction of toxic substances such as pesticides,paint fumes,cigarette fumes and the like.
spmnarciso
Active Member
I bought black diamond by Marineland. Is that good stuff? How much do you add to the bag?
spmnarciso
Active Member
bump
spmnarciso
Active Member
Fill the bag?
R
randy 12
Guest
Chemi Pur is the best, lasts longer, and helps maintain ph.
T
tulip89
Guest
Have you thought about using renew... It's like carbon, but will not remove trace minerals.. I use all up till it's exhaused.. As with carbon , I run for about a week at a time.. Just a thought. :yes:
drkdweller
Member
i use kent carbon, however i've heard you dont want to run it 24/7 on a reef tank, and that you should only run it 3 days in a row a month because it also strips the tank of trace elements
drkdweller
Member
cool. i stand corrected
dallas1432
Member
Kip, should the water be forced through the carbon or is it sufficient to just let the water run over the carbon??? I was told to force the water through the carbon to get full use of it????
T
thomas712
Guest
Originally posted by Dallas1432
Kip, should the water be forced through the carbon or is it sufficient to just let the water run over the carbon??? I was told to force the water through the carbon to get full use of it????
Though either way is fine, forcing the water through the carbon (canister filter for example) you will see results faster, than if you use it in a passive way.
Thomas
donmgicwon
Member
Originally posted by DrkDweller
i because it also strips the tank of trace elements
If it did, then there would be no need for an RO filter.:nope:
oscardeuce
Active Member
Carbon should not take out metals at all. organic molecules will "Stick " in the tiny pores in the carbon. It will remove protein small molecules and may adsorb tiny phytoplankton. Toxins and medications will also be removed. The carbon may help with smells, adsorbing the offending particles. I use renew ans occasionally add carbon to be sure to get all contaminants out.