Carbon Guru's

Ok, I know there are some die hard backers of this out there so I am looking for a little advice. I stopped running carbon 8 or 9 years ago mainly because the problems I caused using it(not cleaning it, changing it out etc)

So I think that know that I have gotten past the stage of neglecting my tank I want to use this again. I have always noticed the water is "cleaner" to the eye with it, but are there really any params it will help with?

Also I have a tide pool that has media trays in it and didn't know how well a bag would work i here. Is it better to let the water flow over it (Tidepool) or is it better to draw it through it(Magnum 350)? Have both options available but which will work better?

 

I love my carbon. Tangster turned me on to it after I had an anemone die and pump its toxins into the tank. Simply adding the carbon dropped ammonia and nitrite, and saved quite a few lives. I dont know how much it will drop those param's in a tank that isnt full of toxins, but it did drop them for me. I personally will never set up another tank without it.;D
It would be much better if you could draw the water through it.

 

This non Guru and I never met one either But I prefer the reactor or the mag 350 and use 1/2 per 50 gals and change it our at 6 to 8 weeks , Different Issues require different amounts of carbon also the type of pollutants that the carbon is removing effects the change out time factor.
But on average on the average system and to just run to remove the average Doc's 1/2 cup per 50 Gals replaced every 6 to 8 weeks works very well with little stresses on the waters parameters or shock to the animals.
Also the reactor or Mag will extend the life of the carbon also.. as its all getting totally saturated and not just the upper layer's in a bag with water flowing over the bag. Water like electricity will find and take the path of lease resistance

 

Sounds good, what are Doc's?

BTW you were the Guru I was referring to! ;D

 

LOL yes well I'm still no Guru I simply get by and I only speak of what i have learned from experience and a Guru I think are supposed to know it all ?

But DOC's is he acronym for Dissolved Organic Carbons . Thats what it was in the old days I see now days the new guys like to say DOM's LOL Dissolved organic matter I guess it means I never asked as I never cared . I still use the term DOC's If you run a refugium then Carbon is a must I would never not run a good grade of carbon . I use it on all systems from a guppy tank to a sps reef tank .. There is no new water just filtered and cleaned water.. This is how I avoid stressful water changes to my corals good carbon and flitration..

 

Black Diamond from marineland is what I have, does that pass as a quality carbon? Also does it have a shelf life, dunno how old this is but I've had it a while.

 

Sure is a good carbon I've used tons of it , Shelf live is for ever as long as its sealed and not exposed to dirty air .. Carbon will scrub air like it does water or heavy air

 

im with Tangster, i will never run a tank without carbon again, no matter whats in there. i ran my old 55 for ~6 months or so without it, and never knew why the water looked so merky ;D