Leathers, do I need to run carbon?

[rcreations]

I recently added 2 leathers to my 65gal: a devil's hand and a toadstool. Other corals I have: different mushrooms, some zoas, pulsing xenias, Ausie frogspawn frag, Ausie hammer coral, bubble coral and a brain. There are no corals close to the toadstool, but close to the devil's hand, there's a largish colony of zoas and some ricordea mushrooms. They're not touching but they're within 3 inches.
Up until now, I never had to use carbon. I have a large sump with a large protein skimmer, plus a sponge filter for particulates. My water has always been very clear. But I read with leathers, I need to start using carbon. Is that true? And can I just use it 1 week a month or do I need to run carbon 24/7?

 

[rcreations]

Anybody?

 

[nycbob]

just monitor the situation. if u see any corals acting funny, then run carbon. i personally run it for 2 weeks a month.

 

[rcreations]

By acting funny, you mean not opening up? Sorry if it sounds like a stupid question, but I'm not sure what to look for.

 

[sharkbait9]

Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2456967
just monitor the situation. if u see any corals acting funny, then run carbon. i personally run it for 2 weeks a month.

Leathers can and will at times shed their skin. You will see them get like a waxy coat over them and then shed old skin. Some corals get bothered by the chemicals that leathers give off when they shed.
Like stated up top I run carbon twice week every month or sometimes I’ll continue to run carbon, just because I have not seen a negative from my coral.

 

[krichardson]

if you plan on running carbon...keep an eye on your phosphates, it will cause them to go up.

 

[sharkbait9]

Originally Posted by krichardson
http:///forum/post/2457884
if you plan on running carbon...keep an eye on your phosphates, it will cause them to go up.
I heard that once or twice

I use Kent marine reef carbon and let it sit in a bucket or ro/di and had my step mother bring it to work and test it for Po4 it came back 0.00.1 Po4 (she works in a lab)