Do you run carbon in your reef tank?

reef fool

reef fool

Active Member
I was just wondering how many of the more experienced reefers run carbon in their tanks and if it is 24/7 or periodically? If periodically, please explain why?
I have been running ESV carbon 24/7 in my reef for 7 months now with no noticeable problems. Any downfalls to this?
Thanks, Frank
 
pbuck

pbuck

Member
I used to run carbon 24/7 for about a year and now I am experimenting with running it once or twice a month. I hope this will lead to increased growth in my mushrooms and zooanthids. I have read that carbon removes organic compounds that corals like mushrooms thrive on. I have also read that carbon removes some additives as well. I am pretty sure that the small amount of carbon that I use will not be enough to remove all of my additives so that is not so much an issue as the soft coral growth.
 
reef fool

reef fool

Active Member
My softies and shrooms have not been deprived at all that I can tell. My colt grew huge (6x it's original size) in no time and my shrooms are the size of tennis balls every day as well as spreading and reproducing. WOW! What would they be like w/o carbon?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I keep a bag ready for emergencies and occationally run it for a few hours to remove the green tinge produced by the Caulerpa.
The studies I've seen show that in a saltwater aquarium it's pretty much depleted in less than 24 hours so I don't see how running 24/7 can be a benefit unless it's for biologic filtration.
 
reef fool

reef fool

Active Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
The studies I've seen show that in a saltwater aquarium it's pretty much depleted in less than 24 hours so I don't see how running 24/7 can be a benefit unless it's for biologic filtration.
I was told that the carbon is depleted after 3-4 weeks. 24 hrs? WOW. Do you know of any articles on the subject?
Thanks for the input,
Frank
 
goldrush

goldrush

Member
Great read-I guess I was doing the right thing without knowing it. Every 6 weeks or so I put 3-4 tablespoons in mesh bag and throw it in my sump for about 24 hrs.Works for me.
 
erikandstacie

erikandstacie

Member
I use an Eheim wet dry canister for filtration and will occasionally put in a carbon pad (made by Eheim) for 24 hrs. There was no noticeable depletion. Could these pads have the same effect and granular activated carbon as far as depleting trace elements is concerned, and do they actually have the same water clearing power that GAC has?
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
Basically due to information and experiences refered to by Bangguy I also run carbon periodically(Phosphate sponge too). I run both in mesh bags in my sump for 24-48 hrs about once a month. I prefer Black Diamond carbon and Kents phosphate sponge...both are quality products in my opinion.:cool:
 
T

thomas712

Guest
NM reef - And do you notice a difference in your water quality, color or smell, in only 24-48 hours?
I to prefer Black Diamond or Kent Reef Carbon. However I am trying a load of the Ginger Carbon right now in the 55 just to see what happens, I am keeping track of phosphates right now to see if it goes up as a result of its use.
Thomas
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
Yes I do notice a change using the carbon for only a few days. I seldom have issues with smell...but the water does tend to dis-color a bit and the few days once a month of carbon keeps the water crystal clear. I place the carbon in a high flow area in my sump that runs about 1000 GPH...so the limited amount of time is helped by a high flow rate. The phosphate sponge is used in the same manner...and I have not detected phosphates in my reef for over 18 months.:cool:
 
sterling

sterling

Member
I do run carbon in my tanks. My large tank I have two Emporer 400's on the back with the carbon filters in them. I change these every 4 to 6 weeks. And I stagger the changes, I don't change all 4 at one time. I also have a phosphate sponge in the sump.
I too use Black Diamond carbon and Kent's phosphate sponge material.
 
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