How often do you run carbon?

I used to never run carbon. However, I purchased a NextReef reactor to run a small amount of carbon just to clear the water up a little bit. I have not noticed any ill affects since I installed the reactor roughly 6 months ago.

 

I'm a 24/7 kinda guy.I change it about once a month.

 

24/7/365. Not a lot of media, just enough to help counteract and warfare between the leathers and SPS. I feel its better to run a little all the time than to run a lot less frequently, kind of a preventative measure.

 

Yeah I was talking about how I was trying to completely redo my system and I said I was happy I can get my skimmer in a sump now with a brs carbon reactor and he's like what for I told him so I can run carbon and thats when he preceded to tell me he rarely ever runs carbon because he feels it takes out the beneficial minerals and such in the water, so of course I ran to you guys for your opinion

 

Carbon does not remove minerals, it removes volatile organics and toxins. Things like GFO remove minerals but are still beneficial.
If you only have a 55G system you don't need a huge BRS reactor to run a few tablespoons of carbon or GFO, it does not take much room. The TLF Phosban reactor is capable of up to 200 gallons yet still small enough for a nano. You may run a cup or two of media between the two.