running carbon all the time

[Charl_Stanhope]

hey guys. is it bad to run activated carbon all the time? im also running phosguard and purigen at the same time. Ive only got two clowns as a bio load and some softies and lps. So im thinking of taking out the carbon as I dont need it. ive still got the crap boyu skimmer.

My parameters are all good and almost no po4 and no3. no no2. ca,kh,ph fine.

The reason why im asking is my torch coral seems to be struggling. already lost 2 heads and another one is struggling. when i had gha and cyano (higher nutrients and phosphates)my torch seemed to be doing better.all the other corals are 100 % healthy and growing like nuts. maybe the torch doesnt like carbon.

 

[Ari]

Mabye remove and replace the carbon regularly or reduce the amount you are using... Plus It's a lot with the phosguard and purigen

 

[Charl_Stanhope]

Mabye remove and replace the carbon regularly or reduce the amount you are using... Plus It's a lot with the phosguard and purigen

i am replacing it often.as soon as i see its exhausted. but i think im gonna run phosguard and purigen only and see how it goes. thanks for the reply. also thought its alot but I dont thinnk its affecting my torch coral.:y1::smash::bouncy-blue:

 

[stevengrant]

i am replacing it often.as soon as i see its exhausted. but i think im gonna run phosguard and purigen only and see how it goes. thanks for the reply. also thought its alot but I dont thinnk its affecting my torch coral.:y1::smash::bouncy-blue:

Sometimes corals etc suffer a bit from a sudden change in nutrients. If you had high NO3 and PO4 and reduced these too rappidly, your corals might suffer a bit but should recover. In a small system, you need to keep you nutrients low and phosguard and Acitvated carbon will help with this. Be patient - don't react too quickly. You could reduce the amount of phosguard etc so that there are some nutrients in your tank for the corals - play around until you have a balance and a happy system.

Nobody has the perfect system or the perfect answer and that quest for this is what keeps some people in the hobby and drives others away.

 

[Tony]

Carbon is good for water clarity and reducing DOC

 

[Charl_Stanhope]

think im just gonna take out carbon. Im gonna keep on running purigen and phosguard. I do two 20% water changes a week as well so maybe im over killing the filtration media. ill keep on doing tests and see how things are changing without the carbon. If it gets bad then i will reintroduce the carbon and start feeding marine snow. maybe target feed the torch also. will see how it goes. thanks for the feedback

 

[coswecanfly]

IMO that's a lot of water changes... Maybe you should slow down on those too... I had a number of people tell me that on my 25l I should do a water change every week to two weeks... ???

 

[DarrenT]

think im just gonna take out carbon. Im gonna keep on running purigen and phosguard. I do two 20% water changes a week as well so maybe im over killing the filtration media. ill keep on doing tests and see how things are changing without the carbon. If it gets bad then i will reintroduce the carbon and start feeding marine snow. maybe target feed the torch also. will see how it goes. thanks for the feedback

Trust me when i say this, stick to your water changes im doing weekly 20% as well and it really does wonders for nitrates and etc. There is no point running carbon if you are running purigen it's almost the same thing. I would say remove the carbon and stick with purigen.

IMO reefsnow if a phosphate problem waiting to happen, let your fish feed your coral, depending on what coral you have. If you want to feed your coral use cyclop-eez, the best product i think.

 

[noproblem]

I have the same tank but very modified and I target feed everything with a turkey baster. It's been running for two and a half years. The only thing I check regularly is salinity. I do a 25l water change every two weeks. If I am unable to change the water then I put in some additives. I run purigen , carbon and filter floss as well as a Tunze nano reef skimmer and filter which are the dog's dangly bit's.

 

[Charl_Stanhope]

i will def stick to the water changes,it does wonders to the tank. Im also gonna stick to removing the carbon. will try it. ive got some lps and soft corals in my tank. i do quite a few tests and add a buffer to each water change. Also I add what ever I need in my tank and to be honest the regular water changes keeps everything in tact. I use nsw and to stabilize the kh and ph I add buffer. not alot. Ive only target fed the corals like once every month. Ive only got two clowns so havent really got a bio load. Im gonna add a fish or two but not sure what so Im waiting on that one.for now im gonna remove carbon and see what happens. thanks for the input guys.

 

[noproblem]

If you are coming to CT let me know, I will gladly show you my kit. I have a 37l running in the kitchen as well for a bit of fun

 

[Charl_Stanhope]

If you are coming to CT let me know, I will gladly show you my kit. I have a 37l running in the kitchen as well for a bit of fun

will definitely pop around when Im in cape town again.thanks for the offer. Will pm you when I plan on coming to Cape Town again