Do you carbon up? And why?

[Turtlespd]

Carbon, yes please. Never had any probs with my fish using it. I run a cup a month in a reactor.

 

[evad1]

i run carbon and gfo
or I just run seachem seagel-carbon/phosphate remover(right now im running this)

 

[bvysochin]

We've gotten lazy over the last few months and haven't changed out our carbon or GFO.. just turned the reactors off. Since then, have noticed our SPS growth has slowed way down.. Not sure how much of it had to do with taking the carbon offline, but I'm very happy to get it back online and will do my best to keep on changing it on a monthly basis..

 

[Turtlespd]

We've gotten lazy over the last few months and haven't changed out our carbon or GFO.. just turned the reactors off. Since then, have noticed our SPS growth has slowed way down.. Not sure how much of it had to do with taking the carbon offline, but I'm very happy to get it back online and will do my best to keep on changing it on a monthly basis..

All that means is that your yellow water doesn't allow for light penetration and or ur phosphate may be the limiting factor in ur growth. I'm sure u already know but make sure u use half the dosage u previously used, other wise u won't be happy.

 

[high dollar slime]

Yep, run it 24/7...I have not run a skimmer in years...Lots of crazy myths surrounding carbon...The cited report about HLLE is by the authors own admission not peer reviewed and there is no specific correlation stated..Why bother going to all the trouble to improve water quality and overlook carbon which is very effecient??..I believe primary production in a reef tank is generally provided by photosynthesis so Im not worried about removing free organics from the water..Just my opinion....ES

 

[thresher]

I would have to disagree about the HLLE association with running carbon in the article. With the amount of aquarist that run carbon, I think we would notice a higher incident of HLLE. However as some have mentioned on this thread if your tank runs fine without it...great!

 

[Six2seven]

I use it regularly. I like how clear the water looks and it cuts down on the smell.

 

[wickedfish]

We've gotten lazy over the last few months and haven't changed out our carbon or GFO.. just turned the reactors off. Since then, have noticed our SPS growth has slowed way down.. Not sure how much of it had to do with taking the carbon offline, but I'm very happy to get it back online and will do my best to keep on changing it on a monthly basis..

Heavy Phosphate inhibits calcification. Carbon wouldn't play in the growth. But like said above does allow for more units of par the coral can absorb.

 

[high dollar slime]

I also wanted to add that I currently run a small reef, so I pretty much rely on carbon.. I don't want the complexity of all the equipment on this reef setup...There is a noticeable difference in the shape of my corals after i change out the carbon..Carbon has a profound effect on a small tank...As time goes by im getting the frequency and amount dialed in..Carbon can throw a lot of parameters out of whack overnight...
So i guess a good argument can be made for the skimmer..but..carbon will also take up non polar organic molecules (estimated to be 70/30 ratio) but a skimmer wont, so the old 30% is the best you can get in theory with a skimmer...maybe that's best for some systems...ES

 

[russ13]

I run 2 reactors with 1 carbon and one gfo. I like what carbon does for a tank I think the good things out weigh the bad when it comes to using carbon.

 

[russ13]

question..... why does the carbon in chemipure last 5 times longer then normal carbon??????

 

[SchnitzelReef]

question..... why does the carbon in chemipure last 5 times longer then normal carbon??????

Hahahah

It doesn't. It should be changed out every 6 weeks for best results.

 

[turbonut]

Rox 0.8 user here. Wouldn't have it any other way

 

[wickedfish]

Yep^ it has almost 0 fines when you clear it.

 

[russ13]

Rox 0.8 user here. Wouldn't have it any other way

That is the next one I am going to try. I have heard good things about it

 

[MRCYCS805]

Rox 0.8 user here. Wouldn't have it any other way

Ive been running seachem matrix for the past year and have been thinking of switching to rox.o8 is it round like matrix carbon or pellets? I was just reading the container and it says it will last up to a couple months without needing to be changed!! I dont trust it i change it out once a month so i dont get that fishy smell and it looks way clearer after i replace it!

SeNt*By*A*sTrAiGhT*g*UsInG*xParEnT*gReEn*tApAtAlK*2*fOo*

 

[turbonut]

Ive been running seachem matrix for the past year and have been thinking of switching to rox.o8 is it round like matrix carbon or pellets? I was just reading the container and it says it will last up to a couple months without needing to be changed!! I dont trust it i change it out once a month so i dont get that fishy smell and it looks way clearer after i replace it!

SeNt*By*A*sTrAiGhT*g*UsInG*xParEnT*gReEn*tApAtAlK*2*fOo*

I've never used the matrix so I can't compare. But I will tell you the rox 0.8 is a very small carbon and sponges should be used in your reactor when using or u'll end up with most your rox in your sump or tank

 

[lowbudget]

i can vouch for that hahahahahahahah