Do you carbon up? And why?

[wickedfish]

I have recently ran carbon after a year and a half of not using it.
Wondering if others use or don't. Why do you run carbon? How many of you do religiously?

I was always told that it was good when running a tank that had new coral inhabitants that excreted toxins like soft corals. But shouldn't after stocking has settled.

I use it now because I feed fairly heavily and would like to seal up some unwanted Fish pee and whatever else's makes my water unclear.

 

[jbaeza83]

I used to run it in my cube before, I haven't yet in my current tank. I was told that if you run it a lot it will weaken the immune system of fish, but I don't know. I really like how clear my water is when I did run it though.

 

[lurking]

I stopped after reading the HLLE article

 

[johnwin84]

i run it 24/7 as i run ozone. i try to change it out at least twice a month.

 

[wickedfish]

Never heard of it affecting immune systems, but it does strip food to coral. It also can deplete Micro fauna from overdosing a system.

 

[bad santa]

I don't run it now cause I'm lazy. I need to set up a reactor to run carbon.

 

[wickedfish]

Dude if your tank looks good don't run carbon. I'm having a lot of Lil spot growths because I feed heavy. So I turned the skimmer to skim wetter and I added more carbon to strip the water a bit more. My fish population has some large poppers.

 

[dorkymk3]

I run 24/7 wtih my TLF phosban reactor for the past 2 years now. I use 2 cups and change out every month. I also don't make my carbon tumble in the reactor, from what I heard/read tumbling will make carbon dust leading to hille or linear lines disease on tangs and what not.

 

[DRSone]

I run Two bags 11.74oz Chemi-pure elite for my RSM 250 and plan to replace every 3 months.

 

[Emac909]

This is why I don't run it any more
http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/activated-carbon-hlle-smoking-gun-found

 

[Justin]

I've always run carbon. Water more clear = more light penetration = better growth and colors.

 

[h0ndap0w3r]

I use it for clear water and also to cut down on smell

 

[BeanMachine]

I stopped after reading the HLLE article

Isn't that a myth? It seems that there would be thousands of cases since many many many people use carbon in their systems. I think HLLE is mostly do to poor water quality and diet.

I remember reading that article...

 

[Tangwich]

From what I recall it was a certain type of carbon that was causing HLLE.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

I run it every now and then. Def see a difference in water clarity. Run carbon and a filter sock......BOOM perfectly clear water


Sent from my iPhone

 

[reefes pieces]

I do mainly for allelopathy, and to minimize tank water smell. I think there's such a thing as too much and can strip water of trace etc... As for HLLE my tang is super healthy with great coloration. I think its like antibacterial sanitizer for kids. Good to use when the kids touch dirty stuff but you wouldn't bathe them in it.

 

[bboyvital]

i run carbon regularly. change it out once a month.

 

[lowbudget]

i kids loves swimming in the tank. i use it cause it makes the water yellow to clear. my tanks have no HLLE well i dont htink so .

I do mainly for allelopathy, and to minimize tank water smell. I think there's such a thing as too much and can strip water of trace etc... As for HLLE my tang is super healthy with great coloration. I think its like antibacterial sanitizer for kids. Good to use when the kids touch dirty stuff but you wouldn't bathe them in it.

 

[reefes pieces]

i kids loves swimming in the tank. i use it cause it makes the water yellow to clear. my tanks have no HLLE well i dont htink so .

Hahaha I think its time for a kiddie pool. For the fish and corals sake! lol

 

[El Dude]

I run it every now and then when I think allelopathy might be an issue. But a healthy water change can correct that, so I find myself doing more water changes than running carbon. I just stick with GFO and I'm happy.