Carbon

[Patriot76]

are there any negative affects of running carbon in a reef system? also, is there any reason why i should not run carbon and a phosphate sponge together in a canister filter?

 

[Phyl]

Your change schedule on the two will be different. Sometimes your PO4 stuff will last 2 weeks, other times a month (keeping tabs on your PO4 will help you assess this). Carbon some people change weekly, others change monthly.

I run both, just in separate canisters.

 

[pgordemer]

are there any negative affects of running carbon in a reef system? also, is there any reason why i should not run carbon and a phosphate sponge together in a canister filter?

You can do it like that and I did it that way for a long time as long as you realize that the carbon needs to replaced much more quickly than Phosban (2 weeks for carbon, 4 weeks for Phosbam -spends on test readings).

The only real problem though it for PHOSBAN, the flow is to fast, not allow much contact time. So you either need to use a pelletized version of GFO, or use a phosban reactor.

 

[magic]

Try Chemi-Pure Elite. Will from AO recommended it. One media bag that takes the place of carbon and also contains a phosphate remover. It is supposed to be changed every 6 months but I change it every 3. No algae and phosphates are 0.

Bob

 

[blange3]

Some brands of carbon can leach phosphates into the system.

I use the carbon that the club gets for group buys and I love it. Several memebers have conducted phosphate tests on the stuff we get and have found it to be OK. It rinses easily as well.

A group buy for carbon is coming up in May.

I run it in a phosban reactor on my 75 and in a Fluval canister filter on my other tanks.

I try to change it weekly. (Honest I try!) ;D The reactor gets changed weekly, sometimes I'm lazy with the Fluvals. (Note to self, change carbon tonight.)

 

[Phyl]

No algae and phosphates are 0.

What test are you using for this?

 

[reefsandrotts]

I run carbon everyother week and phosban on the opposite weeks.

 

[magic]

No algae and phosphates are 0.

What test are you using for this?

I have 2 different brands, Seachem and API.

 

[Patriot76]

Try Chemi-Pure Elite. Will from AO recommended it. One media bag that takes the place of carbon and also contains a phosphate remover. It is supposed to be changed every 6 months but I change it every 3. No algae and phosphates are 0.

Bob

interesting, might have to try that out.

i am running SeaChem Matrix Carbon and Kent Phosphate Sponge in my canister filter. i been changing the carbon about every three weeks or so. phosphate sponge i have changed once since i set up the tank about 10 weeks ago.

 

[nismo driver]

i have run carbon and phosban many ways, through a cannister for a few months and as stated the effective life of the two products differ so it can be a hassle to maintain both. using phosban reactors is easier on maintenance and gives you the ability to manage the flow rates individually to use them more effectively. recently i have been running the carbon passively in my sump in filter bag where the water is draining from the display and returning from the skimmer.

i cant honestly say that i notice one way or another the effectiveness of the carbon, im really only using carbon because i have mixed softies and sps and run it witht he intention that it will remove any of the toxins the leather could produce that has been linked to inhibiting growth in hard corals.

since im not depending on the carbon for anytype of nutrient control i feel comfortable with this method but for the phosban i wouldnt use it with out a reactor.

i have found that with mini jet600 i have to throttle it way back to get the right rate of tumbling for the phosphate, this seems to bee much much lower flow rate then most cannister produce so i would think a cannister might not be the most effective for GFO.