active carbon

[jcs11236]

hey guys-i was just curious in knowing if you guys run carbon(and what brand) in your nano tanks

is it true that carbon leaks out phosphates into your tank?

 

[drty811]

no i dont run carbon...used to until i found out that it leachs everything back into the tank once its full.

 

[Physh1]

It's true that carbon can leach back out what it once absorbed but that's the reason it's only recommended to use it for short bursts (say 3-5 days a month then replace) or make sure that you change it ever 2-4 weeks.

Cameron

 

[sadielynn]

we run carbon all the time in our systems but as has been said you do need to change it monthly we rince ours every week in clean water but I have found no drawbacks to running is 7/24 that is not to say that others havent had drawbacks

 

[incysor]

I use it on all my tanks. I change it regularly. Once every couple weeks or so.

B

 

[Anonymous]

the leaching back of carbons is one of those MYTHS!! that gets propagated in this hobby. Carbon Will NOT leach back materials it has collected unless the pH of the tank falls to a very extreem level. And if that happens then you have bigger problems then that. Carbon is the only effective way to remove some water yellowing compounds and alletrophic chemicals in a reef tank. I use it regularly. The best (most effective) way is to use small amounts and change it frequently - not because of the leach myth - but because carbon is very effective and it will cause dramatic shifts in water clarity when fresh replaces old. So to avoid the potential light shock keeping it fresh is best.

 

[drty811]

well i guess ifs a myth then i dont see a problem as long as its changed on a regular basis. i stopped using it in my freshwater tanks a couple years ago and switched to peat moss in my filters with foam...i changed that every two months. ive had very good luck with live plants and the fish ive keep.
with saltwater im triing to do everything as natural as possible...filtering , movement, lighting, ect...i have had to resort to other chemical and products to aid the tank.JMO

 

[Master Er]

I have never used carbon in my salt tanks....but I did with my FW tank. Before I got into reefing I read all the articles I could find to get my feet wet, I even bought a few books.....which were pro carbon. I dont use carbon but I do use "Purigen". Works very well. Lasts longer than carbon too.

 

[dragon79]

I use chemi-pure, keeps the cube looking crystal. Water quality is fine, nothing has leached back to tank. Levels stable and things healthy...

 

[mikeguerrero]

I will be adding two units of chemi-pure into my 72 bowfront. One unit takes care of 40 U.S gallons, so two units will do the job.

When I went to Pet Club to pick it up, they were out, so I'll be there today to pick it up. Chemipure is the best I've seen, nothing comes closer to how well it works.

At 8.99 per unit, I cannot go wrong...

Mike

 

[go4broke44]

what is this chemi-pure? is it a carbon-like substance that is a pellet or block or something? and more importantly, will it take the phosphates and nitrates out of my tank?

 

[drty811]

its a pellet and thats about all i know about it...sorry i dont have more info

 

[SeanB]

If you are doing a search, look up Purigen too. I'll be running it once my NC6 has cycled.

 

[mikeguerrero]

Chemi-pure,

Comes in a filter nylon bag and you simply wash it through water before entering it into your tank. Walk away and it does the rest. You don't need to change it anywhere from one full month to 6 months, depending on the bioload of your tank.

When I ran it in my cubes it kept them crystal clear and free of odor. I would rinse them out once a week and place them back in.

When the month was over, I would add another bag and remove the old one.

It not only cleans your tank, it also helps to maintain the PH and keep undesireable algaes from taking over.

It's the best on the market, try it. You can get 1 unit of it or 1/2 unit depending on how big your tank is.

Mike