Active Carbon

[cmontgomery]

I have never run active carbon on any of my tanks. I just wanted to see how many people do and why.

[Woodstock]

Can you edit the poll to include "occassionally use carbon"? I don't run it all the time.

[BoomerD]

I ran carbon actively ( in a canister filter) for one week per month. Removed after a week, to prevent the formation of a biological filter/nitrate factory.

[cmontgomery]

Not sure how to edit the poll. Also why do you run the carbon?

[Blackness]

I use a product called chemi pure It's an ion resin

[Barcochris]

I use carbon for a week once a month. then I remove it.

[cmontgomery]

I hate to be a pain, but What I am realy trying to find out is what is the gain in using the active carbon? Thanks everyone for participating.

[fishcrazy]

Carbon operates by chemical filtration. It is an excellent way to strip many Dissolved Organic Compounds that yellow the water and/or make your tank stink. It can also be useful at removing some excess heavy metals, aleopathic chemicals (chemical warfare), etc.

A lot of people leave their carbon in too long and it becomes a biofilter like Boomer said. Using smaller amounts of carbon and leaving it in your tank for a short period of time is better than using a lot of carbon and leaving it in for a long time. Make sure you rinse it well prior to use. Preferably, soak it in RO/DI water for 24 hours prior to use.

[Witfull]

also carbon helps tanks that have leather corals in it. leathers use chemical warefare to keep their territory. carbon removes the toxins they slime off.

[cmontgomery]

If you have no sump, do you float it or do you need to use a canister filter?

[Witfull]

i just drop a net bag with carbon next to the drains in the sump. a passive aggressive approach,,,lol

[Woodstock]

Originally Posted by fishcrazy

Carbon operates by chemical filtration. It is an excellent way to strip many Dissolved Organic Compounds that yellow the water and/or make your tank stink. It can also be useful at removing some excess heavy metals, aleopathic chemicals (chemical warfare), etc.

A lot of people leave their carbon in too long and it becomes a biofilter like Boomer said. Using smaller amounts of carbon and leaving it in your tank for a short period of time is better than using a lot of carbon and leaving it in for a long time. Make sure you rinse it well prior to use. Preferably, soak it in RO/DI water for 24 hours prior to use.

Exactly!

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by fishcrazy

Carbon operates by chemical filtration. It is an excellent way to strip many Dissolved Organic Compounds that yellow the water and/or make your tank stink. It can also be useful at removing some excess heavy metals, aleopathic chemicals (chemical warfare), etc.

A lot of people leave their carbon in too long and it becomes a biofilter ***like Boomer said***. Using smaller amounts of carbon and leaving it in your tank for a short period of time is better than using a lot of carbon and leaving it in for a long time. Make sure you rinse it well prior to use. Preferably, soak it in RO/DI water for 24 hours prior to use.

I did not say that !! But I agree with the other Boomer Altough I did use large amonts and "crushed" it, cleaned it and rinsed it every week and changed it every month.

[cmontgomery]

good stuff, thanks

[fishcrazy]

Interesting approach Boomer (i.e. not BoomerD). It actually makes sense if you are using a lot of Carbon at once to stretch out it's life.

How did you crush it? Did you find any problems with waterflow characteristics when you did this or were you running it in a fluidized manner?