to carbon or not to carbon

[gregarlington]

I am hoping one day to add inverts to my tank. I have LR and LS right now along with a clown and a couple of firefish. In planning the addition of corals and anemones i have been looking at the suggested supplements and find that they say that they should be added immediately after carbon usage. My canister filter had a water polishing option or had the carbon cartridge option. In addition to the cannister filter, I have a power head that powers external bio-wheels and a protein skimmer that is rated in excess of the volume need of my tank. Is carbon filtration not desirable on a consistent basis???

 

[jrein40806]

I don't think the carbon will hurt. I have read though that if you have enough lr and ls that no other filtration is needed. I think the carbon helps with the clarity and smell.

 

[poiboy]

carbon only to polish the water. 3~4 with and take it out, carbon removes to much of the trace elements. my .02 L8TR

 

[bbuck_camelback]

Depends on how much liverock and livesand you got. Also a quality protein skimmer helps in a reef. I run carbon for a couple of days a month. IMO running carbon 24-7 isn`t needed if you have lots of LR AND LS and quality skimmer.

 

[gregarlington]

Oh yeah, i am always so bad with details, it is a 50 gallon tank and there is a little more that 40 lbs LR right now with about a three inch LS base. The protein skimmer is a Seaclone 100 venturi.

 

[bbuck_camelback]

I would aim for 70-90 lbs liverock for some serious biofilitration. The new seaclone is a decent skimmer, the old ones were horrible and caused problems. Also if possible try adding another inch or two to the sandbed. You are on the right track, good luck.