Filtration Do's and Do Not's?

[crhawkeye]

I was curious. I am transitioning my second tank from a FOWLR to a reef. Its 120 with a fuge, skimmer, canister and a HOB. I will leave the UV's on my fish only tank as I have heard they can reduce the reproduction of corals but I am more curious about the use of stuff like carbon, phosphate reducers and stuff. Do these have any negative effects on the reef tanks?

 

[natclanwy]

Carbon and Phosphate removers are not harmful to reef tanks there is some debate on running carbon 24/7 in a reef though, but I and several others run carbon 24/7 and I actually prefer it. I ran carbon for a week out of every month for awhile and my water during that time always had a yellow/green cast to it (could only see it when I did a water change and you looked at it in the white bucket.) Now that I run it 24/7 and change it twice a month it is clear. I have never used phosphate removers but I know several people with very successful reef tanks run them.

 

[jefnmichele]

I experienced high phosphates while running carbon to clear yellow water.
Once I removed the carbon the phosphates went back to zero.
i have a 35 watt UV on a 120 g reef tank with a 60 g sump. I have it on a timer, so that it runs 2 hours before lights on and 4 hours after. Total of 6 hours a day. All of my corals are thriving, water is clear, and I might turn the UV back to 4 hours a day and watch my water quality.
just my 2 pennies

 

[natclanwy]

Carbon if left too long can leach phosphates back into the water and certain brand/types are better at holding phosphates than others.

 

[niskyvaulter]

Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2593224
Carbon if left too long can leach phosphates back into the water and certain brand/types are better at holding phosphates than others.
im also curious about this. could you list some of the good/bad companies

 

[crhawkeye]

Doing some shopping and noticed that Marineland Black Diamond advertises phosphate free and so does Kent Marine Reef Carbon. The other popular ones like Fluval and Filstar don't. Just and FYI if you want to take into consideration the advertising.