The use of carbon

I recently used a carbon filter (H.O.T. magnum) on my tank to clear up the water (did a marvelous job) but I am hesitant to continue to use it.

I know some run carbon all the time and it seems to be a controversy.

If I use carbon am I taking out the copeods and amphipods in my water? I recently purchased a bottle of Tigger pods and stopped using the filter then. I'd also like to purchase some copods from: Reefs2go.com Live Food

 

Carbon is the single best thing you can use for your system.. It has no effect on any living animal , Except making the water cleaner.. I have ran carbon 24/7 since I was a kid and its never caused my tanks marine or Freshwater animals any problems . Bet your Butt if there was a methoed then they would be passing Ocean water through carbon !

 

What is the best way to run it? In a reactor or something?

I have had it in filter bags in my sump before and never really saw much of a difference (probably lack of flow through it).

 

couldn't say it better than that. It is a great water cleaner. It will prevent the yellowing of the water due to excess organic pollutants and absorb all sorts of stuff you don't want in your tank.

 

I run it in a reactor with ferric oxide for phosphate, but if you put it in a media bad in your sump where there is high water flow, that should do the job too.

 

Do you run the reactor off an existing pump in the sump, such as the return or something?

 

I run my carbon in a reactor that i have linked to my phosban reactor and then back into my tank.

 

I run carbon in a Poly Reactor and it does a great job with the water. I just dropped the reactor in the sump, it came with a very small pump so the water flows through slowly.

 

How often do you need to change out carbon? I have some chemi-pure (there's carbon in that right?) in my 12G work tank and am unsure of how long it can be left in there before it should be replaced.

 

Laying a bag in a sump will do nothing water like electricity will follow the path of least resistance and the water is simple blowing around the bag like a rock in a stream and not passing through the media , The water has to be forced through the carbon . As for the chemi pure ??? I find a good grade of carbon is all I need I have used the C/Pure it did no harm and I never really saw any super benefits from it either. I use about a 1oz per 25 gals and change that every 8 weeks or so.. Makes the water smell better also I hate that musty saltwater oder.. of fishy smell