Activated Carbon..use of no use?

C

Chris Yuan

New member
I've got a relatively new tank set up. It's a 30 JBJ rimless. So far I'm more than happy with my decision. I've just got one question. The tank has been cycling without the activated carbon in filtration chambers. Recently checked my water and saw that my nitrates were a bit high. Would replacing the carbon compartment with activated carbon help reduce my Nitrate levels?
 
No, carbon won't reduce the nitrate levels. To reduce nitrates the most effective thing is water changes. The fact that your seeing positive nitrates is a good thing in terms of cycling your tank. There are other methods to control nitrate levels, ones that I have tried and seen positive results: refugiums, deep sand beds, & bio pellets.
 
I agree, carbon doesn't help with the reduction of nitrates. Water changes are your best bet.
 
This is meant as no offense, but if you think that carbon reduces nitrates, then you're not at the experience level to use bio-pellets. Many VERY experienced reefers have tried with disastrous results.

When your cycle reaches the end, its actually recommended to do a water change to reduce nitrates.

Also, a refugium (a place designated with low flow and high light to grow macro-algae) is a great, relatively inexpensive way to not only reduce nitrates but also phosphates, which nuisance algae loves as well.
 
Thanks for everyone's input I really appreciate it. I've got a skimmer going and just added Live rock and caulerpa in the refugium And did a small water change. Hopefully that helps. Thanks again
 
The other really important thing in reefing- PATIENCE!
You know you see lots of cool things you want. And you want it all and now. Resist the urge. OPtherwise disaster may occur and you may need to start from scratch depending on the outcome. Remember - PATIENCE!
 
Interesting. I've heard of people not liking it because it can strip out essential things, like iodide for example. I've always ran gac and my shrimps alway molt so I figured it wasn't stripping the water too bad of iodine. And if it was, my regular wc's should replenish something if low. Haven't heard of any other reasons why not to use it, though.
 
Every time I change the activated carbon I get a few SPS receding at the base. Has anyone had similar issues?
 
alexk said:
Every time I change the activated carbon I get a few SPS receding at the base. Has anyone had similar issues?
Click to expand...

Ditto! I don't run carbon, but somewhat recently, in thought I'd give it a go just because I wanted to see my water crystal clear. A few days later, and like you said, I had a few colonies receding from the base.

A couple of years ago, I quit running it for the same reason. I guess chemistry doesn't change with time?
 
I've been running ozone the entire this tank has been up so GAC is mandatory. I change 2 cups rox to the ~200g system each and every month and never seen an issue. As systems can be so very different not sure if that helps you or not.
 
EricTheRed said:
Here's a decent article about carbon....http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/does-a-reef-tank-need-carbon/
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Thanks for the article man I have been having this weird film and bubbling in my refugium and could not figure out what it was until I read about it in that article. I ordered some of the recommended carbon that was listed in that article and I hope it helps with this problem because my refugium has been looking pretty fuggly lately. Although I run carbon currently in a reactor I think I could add more and see if this helps with this issue. Thanks again dude!


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I ran carbon continuously since I started my tank 4 months ago. Last week, I lost an entire frag of a green acropora and had some STN on a red acropora.

Since then, I stopped running my GFO and carbon. I will wait and see what happens. It sucks because I just bought a huge container of premium carbon.


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