Skimmer and carbon, can/do you use both?

Oh wow, it was along time ago. I will do some checking. But where are u getting that info? From a carbon manufacturer or a place that sells carbon? After i read that i quit wasting my time with it and it literally changed nothing in my tank. Not saying it couldn't be helpful in certain situations.

 

After skimming through some articles during my lunch break, it looks like theres no way to really prove one way or the other about when it is exhausted. On a side note, i found out a few things. What im reading is that almost all gac leeches SOME phosphates, and it will vary on the quality of the gac that you buy. Also it looks like it absorbs basically dissolved organic compounds, which your skimmer removes anyways, and certain metals which include trace elements. Since you want trace elements left in the tank, and your skimmer covers the doc's, my opinion is that carbon is useless. My own personal experience warrants this as well. Im not a science lab though, and these are just my opinions and observations...

 

I run both. I like the peace of mind that if something toxic that is not DOC (can be exported via skimmer) gets into my tank, there's GAC to help out. As for depletion, run less GAC but change more often.

 

Carbon seems to be much more efficient at removing DOC than a skimmer. A skimmer may be more cost effective for a big tank though. See Ken Feldman articles in Advanced Aquarist below"

Only if DOC is very high.

Only if DOC is very low


GAC:
Feature Article: Granular Activated Carbon, Part 1: Modeling of Operational Parameters for Dissolved Organic Carbon Removal from Marine Aquaria — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Feature Article: Granular Activated Carbon, Part 2: Modeling of Operational Parameters for Dissolved Organic Carbon Removal from Marine Aquaria — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Also NOTE: from this article, the quote "An interesting observation to emerge from these simulations is that, at least for the 100 gallon water volume/100 gm of HC2 case described by Table 5 and Figure 11, the GAC saturation times vary tremendously depending upon the clean/dirty state of the tank water. Under conditions of aggressive DOC removal (skimming, water changes, GAC use), the GAC charge should last over a month, but under more passive nutrient removal husbandry (no skimming? no frequent water changes?), the GAC charge will be depleted in just a few days."


Skimmers
Feature Article: The Development of a Method for the Quantitative Evaluation of Protein Skimmer Performance — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Feature Article: Further Studies on Protein Skimmer Performance — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Feature Article: Elemental Analysis of Skimmate: What Does a Protein Skimmer Actually Remove from Aquarium Water? — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog


DOC and bacteria - applies to both
Feature Article: Bacterial Counts in Reef Aquarium Water: Baseline Values and Modulation by Carbon Dosing, Protein Skimming, and Granular Activated Carbon Filtration — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

OK Matt, I tried get through the first article, I really need to be in the mood for that stuff.

Any who, say I have a 5 oz bag of Chemipure, and a skimmer rated for a 40 gallon on a 28 gallon. Over the course of a week the Chemipure is going to remove more DOC than the skimmer?

 

I wish there was a way to know when GAC was depleted. I change it out every 2 weeks and use 9 tablespoons of the BRS on a 46gal system. The one thing I do notice is odor elemination. Towards the 2 week mark the tank will develop a very slight odor (Have to lfit lid and sniff to pick up any scent) and after changing the carbon there is absolutely no small what so ever. Also PE mysis smells terrible and makes the tank water stink for a little while psot feeding and with good carbon the odor is eliminated.

 

Agreed. Carbon and the Skimmer are both beneficial.

I just need to add my carbon to a reactor. Its currently sitting inside my filter sock so all the water passes over it and then its filtered by the sock.

 

Personally, I don't think you need have your carbon in a reactor Ryan if water is passing through it....I use both and always have GAC, phosguard, and have a skimmer. I've noticed that the carbon definitely helps with water clarity - I notice the change right after I add it. I also agree that it helps with smell as well.....I usually change out about every 4-5 weeks......

 

Until it's exhausted