~~ Carbon / Alk questions ... Please help ~~

[ClownsRCoo]

So I know that if you carbon dose that lowers you alk levels. What counts as "carbon dosing" though? Is it just when you run carbon in a media reactor or can it be as simple as tossing a media bag of carbon in your sump?

The reason I ask is because I am trying to get my alk levels up to an acceptable range and I had a bag of carbon in my sump. I noticed that when I dosed and brought my levels up they would be much lower the next morning. I have about 5 small coral frags right now so I have next to nothing for consumption from them. Would a small bag of carbon make that a noticeable difference? I had a bag with maybe 1/2 a cup of carbon in it. It was making my levels drop ~.5 dkh

[Reefmedic79]

Carbon dosing has nothing to do with activated carbon in a reactor.

Carbon dosing has to do with adding a carbon source (i.e. Vodka, vinegar, ect..) to the tank to increase the amount of nutrients in the tank, which in turn allows for a higher population of beneficial bacteria to be sustained.

At least that's the basic jist as to what I know about carbon dosing.

[moe458]

Carbon dosing has nothing to do with activated carbon in a reactor.

Carbon dosing has to do with adding a carbon source (i.e. Vodka, vinegar, ect..) to the tank to increase the amount of nutrients in the tank, which in turn allows for a higher population of beneficial bacteria to be sustained.

At least that's the basic jist as to what I know about carbon dosing.

+1 - i agree with the above

Check this article out..maybe it will shed some light..
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2134105