Carbon, what is it?

so i've been hearing a lot of talk about carbon, and since my new skimmer, octopus bh 800s apparently has a spot where the carbon can go, what exactly does it do for your tank?

 

Activated carbon is a chemical filtration, which absorbs chemicals and toxins from the water. Running carbon also helps clarify the water.

 

Carbon contains billions of tiny pores which adsorbs, not absorbs, volatile organic chemicals. It is a very effective media and relatively inexpensive. The lifespan is fairly short so needs to be changed frequently. Place it in a mesh bag in a moderate to high flow area and let it do its thing, it will take out the yellow color in the water and reduce any smells too.

 

The main advantage of running carbon imo is that it makes your water clearer which makes it easier for light to get to your corals. it can also help to rid some poisons and toxins from the water.

 

They pretty much covered it... Removes yellowing, odor, unskimmable proteins and lipids and other organics... What I can add is MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE IT OUT EVERY MONTH!!

And buy COAL based carbon as compared to COCONUT... Coconut works for purifing air VERY well but doesn't hold a candle to COAL based in water...

 

chemi pure elite has a phosphate remover in with carbon. it cost more but it is by far the best carbon ive ever used. also it is good for 3 months!!!!!!

 

No offense bsweezy but Boyds Chemi pure elite's carbon will not last three months... Thats ****'s marketing team for you... It will A. become saturated and leech said undesirables back into the tank or B. start leeching PO4 into the tank..

If you want a combo use Carbon and a granular ferric oxide hydroxide for PO4 removal..

Cheers

 

ive used it for almost 3 years now. i test like i am ocd and have never had any leeching. i change it every 3 months!!! so please tell me what test you have preformed on chemi pure to back up your statement. otherwise chemi pure works flawless.

 

so when would be the best time to start using carbon, i'm hoping my skimmer will be here by the end of the week. And i get paid this week so i may be able to pay off my c.c a little bit to buy some carbon

 

you can start as soon as you would like. i am always running carbon !!!