Carbon or no carbon that is the question?

todd2000 · 02/09/2006, 01:04 AM

I am just wondering I had an Emperor 400, which I had removed the biowheels on, but I took it off because the spraybars that drove the biowheels were too loud, and making too many bubbles in the tank. Anyway on to the question. I was considering buying an aquaclear filter or something just to run carbon in, but am a little confused as to wheather it is worth it or not. I e-mail wetwebmedia a while ago, about some nitrate problems on my first tank, and they said I should remove the carbon from my filter because "Carbon loses its worth in a very short time in a marine tank, usually becomes worthless in a day or so. Then it's just a detritus collector." That seems odd that it would be useless in a few days. So what are the benifits of running carbon, and should I bother? Thanks

todd2000 · 02/09/2006, 01:07 AM

Also are any brands better than others? From my freshwater experience Black Diamond is supposed to be good.

Chad-Man · 02/09/2006, 01:13 AM

What was the reasoning for removing the bio-wheels?

WorldNation · 02/09/2006, 01:22 AM

carbon become useless in a day? lol. ok

staticfishmonger · 02/09/2006, 02:31 AM

if you have a good skimmer i would not worry about carbon.

todd2000 · 02/09/2006, 07:11 AM

I removed the bio-wheels because they can contribute to high nitrates

SDguy · 02/09/2006, 08:29 AM

Carbon is supposed to be good for mixed reefs, especially ones containing noxious corals like GSP. It is also used for skimmer return water if you are using ozone. I personally haven't noticed a difference between when I do or don't use carbon on my tank.

DMK · 02/09/2006, 09:10 AM

good carbon is good in moderate amounts. alot of crappy carbon is bad. i always thought black diamond was great but lately i'm hearing the opposite from german reefers.

SDguy · 02/09/2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DMK
good carbon is good in moderate amounts. alot of crappy carbon is bad. i always thought black diamond was great but lately i'm hearing the opposite from german reefers.

So which do you use? I think I use Kent on occasion..I'll have to check the container, can't remember for sure.

Anemonebuff · 02/09/2006, 09:43 AM

Chemipure and bio chemzorb work well. They are a mix of carbon and mixed bed resin.

todd2000 · 02/09/2006, 09:58 AM

I might use some chemi-pure I've heard good things about it.

02/09/2006, 01:04 AM	#1
todd2000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: VA Posts: 706	Carbon or no carbon that is the question? I am just wondering I had an Emperor 400, which I had removed the biowheels on, but I took it off because the spraybars that drove the biowheels were too loud, and making too many bubbles in the tank. Anyway on to the question. I was considering buying an aquaclear filter or something just to run carbon in, but am a little confused as to wheather it is worth it or not. I e-mail wetwebmedia a while ago, about some nitrate problems on my first tank, and they said I should remove the carbon from my filter because "Carbon loses its worth in a very short time in a marine tank, usually becomes worthless in a day or so. Then it's just a detritus collector." That seems odd that it would be useless in a few days. So what are the benifits of running carbon, and should I bother? Thanks

02/09/2006, 01:13 AM	#3
Chad-Man Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 180	What was the reasoning for removing the bio-wheels? __________________ Chad Current Tank Info: 24 Gal Nano ... 125 Gal. Oceanic Reef Tank

02/09/2006, 02:31 AM	#5
staticfishmonger Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: san diego Posts: 1,727	if you have a good skimmer i would not worry about carbon. __________________ one day the strength of men will fail...but that is not this day.......THIS DAY WE FIGHT!!! Current Tank Info: 125g mixed LPS, soft coral display. 165lbs of mixed fiji, tonga, and lalo rock. 440watts of VHO lighting. 30g sump with euro-reef CS6-2 skimmer. 60g refugium with LR and various macro algae's.

02/09/2006, 08:29 AM	#7
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Carbon is supposed to be good for mixed reefs, especially ones containing noxious corals like GSP. It is also used for skimmer return water if you are using ozone. I personally haven't noticed a difference between when I do or don't use carbon on my tank. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

02/09/2006, 01:07 AM	#2
todd2000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: VA Posts: 706	Also are any brands better than others? From my freshwater experience Black Diamond is supposed to be good.

02/09/2006, 01:22 AM	#4
WorldNation Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 463	carbon become useless in a day? lol. ok

02/09/2006, 07:11 AM	#6
todd2000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: VA Posts: 706	I removed the bio-wheels because they can contribute to high nitrates

02/09/2006, 09:10 AM	#8
DMK Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: central NJ Posts: 2,494	good carbon is good in moderate amounts. alot of crappy carbon is bad. i always thought black diamond was great but lately i'm hearing the opposite from german reefers.

02/09/2006, 09:43 AM	#10
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Chemipure and bio chemzorb work well. They are a mix of carbon and mixed bed resin.

02/09/2006, 09:58 AM	#11
todd2000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: VA Posts: 706	I might use some chemi-pure I've heard good things about it.