Activated Carbon

Ok, so my tank is almost a year old. I was reading in my saltwater aquarium handbook yesturday and it said to replace your activated carbon every few months. I have not done that the entire time I have had it. Should I go and buy some today and If so what streeses will it put on my fish and corals?

12 Gallon Tank
2 Clowns
Leather Coral

 

Yes, youll want to replace it, and no there shouldnt be any adverse effects.

 

I think you handbook is a bit outdated if it says to replace "every few months" LOL. Carbon can start to loose efficiency within days. It will also become colonized in bacteria. Depending on your filtration, it could last anywhere from a few days to a month. It should be replaced at least once per month though. However, as mentioned bacteria will colonize it. So, if you do wait a month to replace, you should rinse it, to get rid of the bacteria and crush it up a bit with your fingers, to expose new surface area. Really this should probably be done weekly as bacteria will colonize it quickly.

 

Another problem in leaving it in that long is that it will start to leech all the stuff it adsorbed back into the tank.

 

Don't post in the urgent forum when it's not an emergency.

As for carbon yes it should be changed regularly. I run carbon for two hours daily then switch it out every month. Carbon will strip the water of trace elements so for your 12g I recommend ditching carbon and continue regular water changes.you can run carbon once in a while, maybe 3 times a month but with a small tank it so easy to do a water change.