Activated Carbon question

[lynn53]

Maybe someone knowledgable can tell me why and how and if to use activated carbon. A friend of mine uses a couple cups of the Kent in her tank everymonth (in a nylon sock). She swears that the water stays alot clearer looking using it. Is there truth to this? does it take out "other" things... important things?

thanks so much

[bstone]

Yes, carbon will make your water much clearer.. Especially if your water has the yellow/orange tint to it. But, be carefull that if you all of a suddon use carbon that you "could" cause coral stress because the light will penitrate much more since the water will be clearer. But, I run carbon 24/7 and I recommend that same.

But if you start put then do it slowly for a few weeks, like a little at a time for a few hours then biuld up from there. But, don't stop for a long period of time then start up again you will stress the corals again.

my 2 cents!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I use activated carbon in a cannister filter. A couple of cups in a 350 gallon total system. Activated carbon is useful for binding organic compounds and thereby making the water possibly clearer. Organics can also be toxins, etc.

I don't really thing there is a substantial drawback to using activated carbon in reasonable amounts, as your friend does. Starting slow is a fine idea in case the water is suddenly more transparent to light and the corals may get a light jolt if started too suddenly.