Carbon?

Um, don't mean to sound ignorant, I'm a newbie.. but what are people talking about when they are referring to "carbon"? This person posted how a bunch of their corals died and people told him to check or replace his carbon???
Confused.. :/

 

Activated carbon removes odors, color, certain noxious chemicals, organic compounds, and makes aquarium water as clear as ice. Carbon is very porous and these substances get "Trapped" in the pores. For the most part the carbon should be changed every two weeks or so to maintain its effectiveness. The most efficient way to run carbon is in a reactor but it can also have benefits if run passively in a filter sock. Very short explanation on a complicated subject however. Hope this helps.

 

I would make sure that the carbon is changed regularly, but not changing it shouldnt cause the death of corals in an average system.



This is carbon. You find it in hob filter packs, but since most sw systems dont use a hob or canister, it would just be in a bag in a high flow area of the tank.

Sent from a phone.

 

Also carbon being the building block of most organic matter would help fuel the beneficial bacteria in yr tank wihch in turn would help reduce the level of nitrates in yr system.

 

The carbon we run in our systems, the stuff I posted, won't do that. The only carbon that will help bacteria grow are some of the supplements, the bio pellets, or vodka dosing. This stuff isn't bioavailable.

 

So there are bags I can buy? and I just hang them in a high flow area in the tank? I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound so ignorant, but I just don't have much of anyone to teach me besides the LFS people :/:/

 

Well yes, I guess you could. Most people put the media bag in the sump so it's not an eye sore. If you don't have a sump I would probably get a reactor so you could hide it a little better. You can get empty media bags from Petsmart or someplace like that for cheap. I would get your carbon from Bulk Reef Supply though, in my opinion its better quality than what you can get at those places. As far as the reactor, I have a BRS reactor and it is very nice, well built, and not a ton of money. You can get media bags from them also. BRS "Mesh" filter sock 4 " x 14" 200 Micron (w/ Draw String) - English

 

I so have a sump, but in your opinion, do you think I should get a carbon reactor to put them in? (that is what you do right?)

 

Yes, the reactor would be much more efficient. With the BRS reactor you can run carbon and GFO in the same unit. The GFO would get rid of the phosphates that may be causing your cyano you talk about in your other post. BRS GFO and Carbon Reactor - English Here is the link, watch the vid on that page and he will show you all about it. And its 15% off this week.

 

I am now the proud owner of one Can't wait to get it in the mail!!! Thanks you guys

I love 3reef.
New addict.