To carbon or not to carbon?

[RANT]Sorry folks, but I can only be as fair as the article. The report read, "Carbon causes HLLE", but in the test, a large amount of UNRINSED carbon was used with one of the most sensitive fish in the ocean-- Tangs, and yet every SW aquaria mag reprinted excerpts with the same headline, further spreading the FUD. FYI, even in the 70s the carbon labels clearly instructed, "Rinse thoroughly before use"...

Over the years, a lot of excellent devices and mediums in this hobby have gotten a bad rap through similar "scientific" testing methods that include, but are not restricted to, incorrect application and/or poor maintenance.[/RANT]

 

I don't really want to get into this as it's been discussed. Usually in science, to prove something, you need to prove false all other plausible hypotheses. Myself and others have posted lots and lots of hypotheses that could falsify their results.

To be fair though, they have proven that under some circumstances (the exact nature of which are yet to be determined), carbon may be involved in development of HLLE. We don't know if it directly causes, contributes to or mediates the formation though. We don't know why it is caused under other circumstances where no carbon is involved, or know why under many circumstances where HLLE is used it does not develop. If it is causal, we don't know if it if fines, or another mechanism. We also don't know why diet is often observed to reverse HLLE. etc... There are just lots and lots of unknowns.

Regardless, HLLE is mainly equivalent to a minor skin condition. It is not fatal, except in extreme cases, and easily reversible long before that. Another big issue is we don't really know of better ways to deal with the issues GAC does address, which, in many cases are much more severe than HLLE. If you were given the option to take something that may possibly cause a skin rash, but may more likely prevent cancer, would you take it?

 

I rephrased.

 

As long as you dont overdo it and rinse good you will be fine. If you try to put 2L of BRS ROX carbon in a reacter on a 10gal tank than you prob will have issues due to way to much carbon and unrinses particles floating around. Studies basically proved nothing since HLLE was seen in systems with carbon and without and some systems with had no HLLE. basically there is no correlation and we know nothing about it.

I did read an article ocne however where a large school of Tangs in the wild was seen with HLLE on a dive in the ocean where obivously no carbon was in place.

The other main argument agaisnt carbon is it can sometimes remove things we want from the WC in addition to all the thigns we dont want. However, the same can be said about skimmers. One of the most important reasons why weekly WC are a must for a healthy system and everything should be used in mdoeration and not excess.

 

Sorry, I wasn't trying to critique you LOL. The author used the term when he wrote in Coral magazine, but when he published in a scientific journal, I believe they made him rephrase it ;D

 

Looks like I really opened a big can of worms,lol.

Alot of debate on the issue for sure,before the internet,I always felt carbon was a requirement and have ran it in both fresh and salt,since learning better,i've still continued using carbon in every tank i've ever had.I've also never experienced HLLE with any fish.However,I felt it was worth mentioning to the OP to either rinse clean and not to tumble if in a reactor.And with not a worthy conclusion to if it actually causes HLLE,why not eliminate the possibility by properly cleaning it before use?It takes alot of the heat out of the debate just by using it moderately and properly.

 

I tried carbon for a while, than i stopped using it, and to be honest i haven't seen a difference with or without it, i don't know if tank size and my maintenance has anything to do with it (Biocube 14 with everyother day 10oz water changes) the only negative i noticed was when replacing the carbon, the new carbon upset all my corals, but they would be fine the next day (once again could have something to do with the tank size). Just my .02

 

You really are the worst..... sigh.

 

Have you been talking to my wife?