when to carbon??

[daluminum]

When and why do you run carbon?? I was gonna drop a bag in my sump but dont know much about i and havent found much on it.. other than.. "use it".. THX ~DAniel

 

[y2says]

Some people use carbon and some don't. I use it to make the water clearer and to get rid of the nasty smell. It also removes toxins that some animals can release when injured or dying. The cons are that some may release some phosphates.

 

[mlm]

I use carbon for a couple of days whenever I introduce new corals in my tank. Some corals release a toxin when they are stressed.

 

[broomer5]

If you do decide to use activated carbon, use a good premium quality carbon. Some of the cheaper carbons on the market contain phosphates.
The best thing to do is to take some of the new carbon, a couple few tablespoons of it in a clean cup, add some RO or RO/DI water and let it soak for a hour or so.
Then test that water for phosphates.
If you get a reading - do not use that carbon. If not - you're good to go.
Two Little Fishes make decent carbon. I'm sure others here will have some good advice on other carbon sources as well.
HTH
Broomer

 

[q]

You could do a yellwoing test. Take a white ruler/stick and make a yellow mark with a permanint marker. Hold it at the back of the tank and if you can not see the yellow you can run the carbon for a couple of days and it will clear it up.