Carbon Filtering (1 Viewer)

[RGH69]

When I decided to get back into saltwater aquariums about a year ago I read an article stating that carbon filtration is bad because it removes good elements along with the bad. So i have not used carbon in my display tank. Everything was fine but the water has been slightly yellow looking. A few months ago I had a flatworm outbreak on my frag tank. After treating with flatworm exit I filled the filter sock with carbon and I noticed the water clarity improved. But the carbon went away with the last filter sock change. However recently my frag tank water was looking really yellow. So I setup a carbon filter and within 24 hours the water was crystal clear, the coral polyps wer more fully extended and everything just seems healthier. So I also setup a carbon filter on my display tank. Same result, in 24 hours I had crystal clear water. The fish look like they are floating in air.

So my question is for those of you that use carbon, have you had any negative results?

Also, I didn't have an extra pump laying around so I used gravity as a pump for the filter like this.

 

[lesd]

Been using carbon for many years. I'd rather give up my protein skimmer than activated carbon. Helps with coral warfare and keeps the water clear.

 

[tinman]

I am using Carbon 24/7 for years also.

 

[Slayer311]

We use carbon as well and have never had any negative results.

 

[fishboyt]

What kind of carbon are you using? I may have to get some.

 

[RGH69]

I just used the Marineland activated carbon. like this
http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/11442-502874/?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={keyword}&gclid=CKSg1t6pg6gCFSM95QodNDjSpw

 

[Ostentum]

I use a full reactor of carbon on my SPS dominated tank. No negative effects. Only time I have ever had negative effects with reactor media is with GFO

 

[fishboyt]

I just used the Marineland activated carbon. like this
http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/11442-502874/?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={keyword}&gclid=CKSg1t6pg6gCFSM95QodNDjSpw

Do you just put that in your filter sock?

 

[RGH69]

I had a Kent Phosphate reactor on the DT so I just replaced all of the RowaPhos with Carbon. In the Frag tank I used a standard 10" filter housing with a re-fillable cartrige, then let gravity do the rest. I was going to fill the sock again but that takes a lot of carbon. It is also more efficient to use a reactor or filter housing so that the water is forced through the carbon bed.

 

[d2mini]

I use ROX Carbon from BRS in my dual reactor, 24/7.

 

[RGH69]

So, the consensus is that Caron filtering is the way to go.

I wish that I never read that article.

 

[gabe_j]

sometimes thats life man. i've never had anything but good results from running carbon. i use a brs media reactor. half full of carbon, prefiltered with some filter floss.

 

[steveb]

I use BRS ROX carbon along w/GFO in a TLF housing 24x7 no ill effects.

 

[fishboyt]

Could I use some of the carbon that came with our water softener? It just looks like it needs a good rinsing...

 

[gabe_j]

Could I use some of the carbon that came with our water softener? It just looks like it needs a good rinsing...

i smell a bad idea. unless you have some unused ofcourse. although if you wanted to i've got new idustrial grade carbon. it sucks...in a good way.

 

[fishboyt]

Could I use some of the carbon that came with our water softener? It just looks like it needs a good rinsing...

i smell a bad idea. unless you have some unused ofcourse. although if you wanted to i've got new idustrial grade carbon. it sucks...in a good way.

I have a whole box of it unused. It should be the same as Marineland, etc. right?

What do you mean by, "It sucks...in a good way."? lol

 

[gabe_j]

yeah dude it should be fine, try and use old waterchange water to rinse it, not full of poo or anything just the water.

i meant it sucks everything out of the water. if i notice my water isn't as clear as i want i just drop in some new carbon and overnight its significantly clearer... speaking of i should change it out when i get home.

 

[fishboyt]

yeah dude it should be fine, try and use old waterchange water to rinse it, not full of poo or anything just the water.

i meant it sucks everything out of the water. if i notice my water isn't as clear as i want i just drop in some new carbon and overnight its significantly clearer... speaking of i should change it out when i get home.

LOL! Cool, thanks!

 

[Llama]

Gabe,
Would you PM me a price for some of your carbon? I was going to order some, but if I can get out of paying shipping I'm all over it.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Sounds like I may need to find a way to run carbon...