Running carbon in a reef

rot_stupid

rot_stupid

Member
OK, so today I looked at a new LFS. The guy told me carbon absorbs calcium and supplemental elements, so they said it's not a good idea to run with a reef tank. I still ahven't added corals yet, as I haven't afforeded the lights, but I plan on starting it up soon. Just wondering if that's true about the carbon.
 
candycane

candycane

Active Member
Depends on what kind you use. Skimmers do the same thing if you are skimming to heavy. But if you go to the manufacturers website, they usually have all the specs of their carbons and what they do.
 
J

jesses89

Guest
If youre going to keep leather corals..... its a good idea to run carbon
 
pettyhoe

pettyhoe

Member
If you run carbon and dose with additives, you have the best of both worlds. Thats what I've done with the MANY reef tanks I maintain and work on.
 
rot_stupid

rot_stupid

Member
Originally Posted by candycane
http:///forum/post/2534952
Depends on what kind you use. Skimmers do the same thing if you are skimming to heavy. But if you go to the manufacturers website, they usually have all the specs of their carbons and what they do.
Is there different kinds of carbon? I thought they were all about the same as far as activated carbon.
 
rot_stupid

rot_stupid

Member
Originally Posted by FISHY7
http:///forum/post/2536413
This is what I use and it works great. I run carbon 1 week before a water change for 2-3 days.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=6
So you don't run the carbon all tghe time? I've had my tank setup for about 2 years not with a refugium. I just got a fluval 405 can filter for free, so I set it up just to place carbon/phosphate remover in it. I know the phosphate remover is only good for a short time, I should take out the carbon too?
 
bigarn

bigarn

Active Member
Carbon will last for a short period of time ... I change it out with water changes. Some people run carbon all the time, some now and then, and some not at all ..... it's up to you.
 
rot_stupid

rot_stupid

Member
I was planning on running it all the time and changing it every month with my water changes unless I need to replace it more often.
 
fishy7

fishy7

Active Member
Hi Rot,
It is your choice weather to run it or not. I personally do not think you need to run it all the time. It is not good for the fish and it does strip the good things out of the water such as trace minerals.
It also has to be changed frequently.
What do you have in your tank?
 
rot_stupid

rot_stupid

Member
right now I only have a perc clown and a damsel, haven't added too much yet as I'm still working on getting everything set up first.
 
lazman

lazman

Member
As long as you add supplements, you can run carbon all times, in a heavy loaded tank, it's smart to use carbon as we all want stocked reefs
 
lazman

lazman

Member
Originally Posted by rot_stupid
http:///forum/post/2540974
thats a nice looking atank. How much LR do you have in there?
sorry for late reply, just got back from out of town trip, this is my 175 gallon bowfront by oceanic ocean, theres about 280lbs of live rock in this baby.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top