Quote:
Originally Posted by
Posiden http:///forum/thread/381707/how-to-get-a-cleaner-tank/20#post_3326643
Based on what I've read in this thread. I would say you need to increase the surface agitation along with, increasing the flow along the sand bed in your tank. For now you might just move the PHs around to get a different flow pattern. One that keeps things off the bottom and keeps them in suspension until you OF can grab it. 2 PHs agitating the surface, pointing toward the OF would help a lot.
The carbon thing.....that's just one of the many debates in this hobby. You'll also see a big variance in the time frame that the carbon is good for. 24 hrs - 6 weeks. IIRC the Lignite carbon is the best. I run carbon when I'm not being lazy. It does a lot of the same things as running a skimmer does. However, carbon does some things a skimmer can't do, as well as a skimmer, does things carbon can't do.
Say that 10x's really fast.
I've never tried the IIRC stuff...perhaps I'll look for it the next time I get some more. So far untill my 120G build gets done and I start running my sump I've always used canisters on my other tanks and I run the carbon in them. I change it out once a month...system stays stable, peramiters the same. I have heard other people saying you should only run it for like 24 hours but I've never had any problems running it for a month. Infact when I used to by the pouches that were designed for my rena filters they actually say to change once a month.
I've also heard that some people think there could be a link between running carbon and Tangs coming down with HLLE. Again, my powder brown seems healthy and happy. I can't comment on the effects it has on corals but people run it on reef tanks, so...I say give it a shot and see how you like it. If you notice anything negative than don't do it.
