To run carbon or not to run carbon
- Thread starter vpotts28
- Start date
thereefkeeper
Member
Do not run AC for long periods, rather just to clear the water if it is cloudy. AC takes out trace elements such as Iodine (Clorine is a non-fish friendly version of iodine). If the water starts to cloud up polish it for no more that a couple of days. IMO
gwh57
Member
Originally Posted by Vpotts28
I have read several posts that say not to constantly run carbon through the tank. I have a hob filter that runs two carbon cartridges all the time. Should I not be doing this? Is there any harm in it? If I take the carbon out what should I replace with. TIA
I am sure there are many opinions on this but I run carbon 24/7 unless I run out.
I have read several posts that say not to constantly run carbon through the tank. I have a hob filter that runs two carbon cartridges all the time. Should I not be doing this? Is there any harm in it? If I take the carbon out what should I replace with. TIA
I am sure there are many opinions on this but I run carbon 24/7 unless I run out.
thereefkeeper
Member
AC = Activated Carbon
reefkprz
Active Member
your going to get opinions on all side of the fence on a question like that one.
I run carbon for a limited time each month before large water changes to remove chemical warfare byproducts produced by leathers and any other organic pollutants the carbon happens to absorb. then I do the large water change replacing all the trace elements the carbon and reef life has depleted.
you can run a successful reef without ever puting a piece of carbon in your tank, you can also run sucessfull reef running it 24/7 there is no absolute right answer, its all in what works for the set up you have.
I run carbon for a limited time each month before large water changes to remove chemical warfare byproducts produced by leathers and any other organic pollutants the carbon happens to absorb. then I do the large water change replacing all the trace elements the carbon and reef life has depleted.
you can run a successful reef without ever puting a piece of carbon in your tank, you can also run sucessfull reef running it 24/7 there is no absolute right answer, its all in what works for the set up you have.
vpotts28
Active Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
your going to get opinions on all side of the fence on a question like that one.
I run carbon for a limited time each month before large water changes to remove chemical warfare byproducts produced by leathers and any other organic pollutants the carbon happens to absorb. then I do the large water change replacing all the trace elements the carbon and reef life has depleted.
you can run a successful reef without ever puting a piece of carbon in your tank, you can also run sucessfull reef running it 24/7 there is no absolute right answer, its all in what works for the set up you have.
With that said could this be a contributing factor why my alk and calcium would be so low? If I were to add cleaner shrimp to my tank, and the carbon depletes iodine, don't the shrimp need some iodine to molt properly?
your going to get opinions on all side of the fence on a question like that one.
I run carbon for a limited time each month before large water changes to remove chemical warfare byproducts produced by leathers and any other organic pollutants the carbon happens to absorb. then I do the large water change replacing all the trace elements the carbon and reef life has depleted.
you can run a successful reef without ever puting a piece of carbon in your tank, you can also run sucessfull reef running it 24/7 there is no absolute right answer, its all in what works for the set up you have.
With that said could this be a contributing factor why my alk and calcium would be so low? If I were to add cleaner shrimp to my tank, and the carbon depletes iodine, don't the shrimp need some iodine to molt properly?
gwh57
Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
your going to get opinions on all side of the fence on a question like that one.
I run carbon for a limited time each month before large water changes to remove chemical warfare byproducts produced by leathers and any other organic pollutants the carbon happens to absorb. then I do the large water change replacing all the trace elements the carbon and reef life has depleted.
you can run a successful reef without ever puting a piece of carbon in your tank, you can also run sucessfull reef running it 24/7 there is no absolute right answer, its all in what works for the set up you have.
I think that is what I said too.
I have seen no evidence that running carbon 24/7 has any negative effect.
your going to get opinions on all side of the fence on a question like that one.
I run carbon for a limited time each month before large water changes to remove chemical warfare byproducts produced by leathers and any other organic pollutants the carbon happens to absorb. then I do the large water change replacing all the trace elements the carbon and reef life has depleted.
you can run a successful reef without ever puting a piece of carbon in your tank, you can also run sucessfull reef running it 24/7 there is no absolute right answer, its all in what works for the set up you have.
I think that is what I said too.
miaheatlvr
Active Member
I Read a report that the is no "CONCLUSIVE" evidence that AC takes out trace elements, I for one am a big fan of AC because of its ability to take out of your water "elements" that cannot be removed from your water via LR or LS. CHEMIPURE has been around for 30yrs and has been an intrical part of people's aquariums for that long. People swear by it and so do I.
reefkprz
Active Member
Originally Posted by Vpotts28
With that said could this be a contributing factor why my alk and calcium would be so low? If I were to add cleaner shrimp to my tank, and the carbon depletes iodine, don't the shrimp need some iodine to molt properly?
no carbon doesnt absorb calc, it gets things like, iodine, molybdenum, and so on. as far as I know it doesnt absorb magnesium(could be wrong) carbon shouldnt mess with your alk or cal.
With that said could this be a contributing factor why my alk and calcium would be so low? If I were to add cleaner shrimp to my tank, and the carbon depletes iodine, don't the shrimp need some iodine to molt properly?
no carbon doesnt absorb calc, it gets things like, iodine, molybdenum, and so on. as far as I know it doesnt absorb magnesium(could be wrong) carbon shouldnt mess with your alk or cal.
reefkprz
Active Member
Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
I Read a report that the is no "CONCLUSIVE" evidence that AC takes out trace elements, I for one am a big fan of AC because of its ability to take out of your water "elements" that cannot be removed from your water via LR or LS. CHEMIPURE has been around for 30yrs and has been an intrical part of people's aquariums for that long. People swear by it and so do I.
Activated carbon does not bind well to certain chemicals, including lithium, alcohols, glycols, ammonia, strong acids and bases, metals and most inorganic minerals, such as sodium, iron, lead, arsenic, fluorine, and boric acid. Activated carbon does adsorb iodine very well and in fact the iodine number, mg/g, (ASTM D28 Standard Method test) is used as an indication of total surface area.
Activated carbon can be used as a substrate for the application of various chemicals to improve the adsorptive capacity for some inorganic (and problematic organic) compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), formaldehyde (HCOH), radio-isotopes (Iodine-131) and mercury (Hg). This property is known as chemisorption.
(Iodine is considered a trace element)
I Read a report that the is no "CONCLUSIVE" evidence that AC takes out trace elements, I for one am a big fan of AC because of its ability to take out of your water "elements" that cannot be removed from your water via LR or LS. CHEMIPURE has been around for 30yrs and has been an intrical part of people's aquariums for that long. People swear by it and so do I.
Activated carbon does not bind well to certain chemicals, including lithium, alcohols, glycols, ammonia, strong acids and bases, metals and most inorganic minerals, such as sodium, iron, lead, arsenic, fluorine, and boric acid. Activated carbon does adsorb iodine very well and in fact the iodine number, mg/g, (ASTM D28 Standard Method test) is used as an indication of total surface area.
Activated carbon can be used as a substrate for the application of various chemicals to improve the adsorptive capacity for some inorganic (and problematic organic) compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), formaldehyde (HCOH), radio-isotopes (Iodine-131) and mercury (Hg). This property is known as chemisorption.
(Iodine is considered a trace element)
gwh57
Member
Originally Posted by Vpotts28
Now this is news to me? Should I be running the skimmer 24/7 then? My calcium was 320 on sunday. I did a 20% yesterday, so I probably replenished the calcium. (don't have test for that yet)
You should be testing for calcium. Don't add if you don't know where it is now. Run the skimmer 24/7.
Now this is news to me? Should I be running the skimmer 24/7 then? My calcium was 320 on sunday. I did a 20% yesterday, so I probably replenished the calcium. (don't have test for that yet)
You should be testing for calcium. Don't add if you don't know where it is now. Run the skimmer 24/7.
reefkprz
Active Member
Yes. google "down the drain exports from reef aquaria by Ronald l. Shimek, PHD" and read it. or you can trust me. either way its true.
Re reading that post I feel I worded it badly. sounds kinda like I was offended at you asking if skimmers pulled out calcium. I wasnt, and I'm sorry if it sounded that way.
Re reading that post I feel I worded it badly. sounds kinda like I was offended at you asking if skimmers pulled out calcium. I wasnt, and I'm sorry if it sounded that way.
vpotts28
Active Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
I'd run the skimmer 24/7 thats how they are most effective. I would rather replace calcium through supplementation or water changes than leave the gunk in my tank that the skimmer pulls out.
Reef, how do you replace your calcium and alk? I was going to start dripping kalk, but I know this only keeps your calcium levels consistent it might not raise it.
I'd run the skimmer 24/7 thats how they are most effective. I would rather replace calcium through supplementation or water changes than leave the gunk in my tank that the skimmer pulls out.
Reef, how do you replace your calcium and alk? I was going to start dripping kalk, but I know this only keeps your calcium levels consistent it might not raise it.
