Let's talk carbon

Here are some questions about carbon.
I have forever in all my tanks freash and salt used carbon.
I have always changed it monthly. Mainly black diamond but because they were out of B.D. I got some pricy Kent Marine "reef carbon". The directions on the back state that for best reef use you should: Only use carbon for 3 days a month. Then remove it from the filter as the carbon will continue to leech trace minerals from the water even after the carbon is plugged with organics.
Anybody ever heard of or done this? I have the same two filters in my bio wheel as the same day I started the filter
Should I change these? The filters have carbon inside them.
If so certainly you would only want to change one at a time.
RIGHT?
any ways tank is coming right along only thing holding me up is the amount of coin I sink into livestock and additives currantly I am using reef plus, reef carbonate, reef buffer, reef complete, and reef advantage calcium all by sea chemm and also I dose with Kent Marine Iodine 8 drops a day and strontium & Molybdenum once every four days

 

Great looking bubble tip!

Yes it is correct that the constant use of activated carbon can leach out or strip valuable trace elements from the water column. Activated carbon can be used as per the instructions you have or on an as needed basis to clear up any yellowing of your water you might experience in your tank.

 

im guilty also i use carbon quite a bit in my filter media cartridge. i should use it a little less then i do but have seen no harm done. but still guilty :

 

If your guilty karla I should be arrested! I use carbon in my canister filter (alot of it). I have changed it once a month and leave it in there the whole month. I have done it that way for almost a year .Do you think it would be better for the tank to use it for only 3 days a month?That would mean pulling apart my canister filter twice a month. But I would do it for the tank if it would help!
Or would it be better to start changing the filters in the bio wheel and not pack carbon in the canister filter? What do you think? Anybody? I'm going for what ever will help my reef the best!!!! Thanks everybody
D. ;D

 

I would suggest you taking it out of your cannister filter and getting some bags that will fit your biowheel and use them more sparringly. No more than 3 days per month or as needed for yellowing water or chemical warfare between softees.

Aqua Clear replacement carbon bags range from small for the 150 model to large for the 500 model ans I'm sure you can find one that will work.

 

[quote author=david link=board=General;num=1066930548;start=0#3 date=10/26/03 at 13:55:40]   Do you think it would be better for the tank to use it for only 3 days a month?That would mean pulling apart my canister filter twice a month.[/quote]

Heck no. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Ripping apart your canister that much will do more harm than good. Leave the squirmies a lone for a while.

I don't buy that 'use carbon for 3 days and replace it' crap. Sounds like someone is trying to sell more carbon. :

 

[quote author=Craig_Manoukian link=board=General;num=1066930548;start=0#4 date=10/26/03 at 21:17:24]Aqua Clear replacement carbon bags range from small for the 150 model to large for the 500 model and I'm sure you can find one that will work.[/quote]

[glow=red, 2, 300]These are bags that can be taken out and reused and have about a six month life when run 24/7.  The Aqua Clear bags should last 1 1/2 to 2 years used every third day, and at $6 or so, very easy on the pocket book.

They can be placed right in your biowheel for easy access.[/glow]

 

Well hears something to think about the next time I do rip apart the canister filter I'll repack it with no carbon and change the filters in the bio-wheel.The bio-wheel filters are easier to change than the mesh bags in the canister filter anyway. Also the water flows through the middle(where the intake pipe goes into the filter) a sure sign the bags are full o' crap. The water flow is going around them not through them. I should only change one at a time as not to upset bacteria populations too much (I was told this by someone). Is it true?
As I said before I've never changed these since day one! It'll be a month before I do this. I think it would be less maintance for me as a plus!!
Is there some thing I could put in that spot in the canister besides carbon.More floss?Something good for my reef? My phosphate levels are only like 0.5?

 

These articles are very old. I have not seen any newer studies. I cannot personally verify the accuracy of any of this information. However, it's probably worth a read.
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/may/features/1/default.asp
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/june/features/1/default.asp

 

WOW that was a good read! Thank you inwall!
But now I'm at a loss again as to what to do. What is your present regimen on carbon use inwall? It says you should not use it in a power filter I assume that means canister filter too.
I think from reading this the idea I had with the bio wheel 330 is still better than the canister, slower water and less carbon.
But still not ideal because I would want to remove the carbon but not want to run the 330 w/o the filter.Maybe I should put carbon in the spot behind the filter (media tray) for like 3 days then remove it from there!The water flow is higher than recomended but better than what I have been doing!