Who uses carbon in a reactor?

[unibob]

Who uses carbon in a reactor? Do you always have it running, or down periods?

I have been reading that continuous use of carbon (especially in a reactor) can strip your whole aquarium of trace elements and cause diseases such as head and lateral line erosion.

Just wondering what everyone else does.

 

[reeffreak]

Re: Question of the day oct 4

don't think Asia as big issue as its made out to be or people wouldn't use carbon. I run mine 24/7 .

 

[unibob]

Question of the day oct 4

don't think Asia as big issue as its made out to be or people wouldn't use carbon. I run mine 24/7 .

Are you trying to tell me Asia is cutting up charcoal and shoving it in a bag and I'm buying it from the stores?

 

[Darryl_V]

Re: Question of the day oct 4

dont believe everything you read......

its fine....just dont use a butt load.

 

[unibob]

Question of the day oct 4

dont believe everything you read......

its fine....just dont use a butt load.

That's why I asked?

 

[Salty Cracker]

Re: Question of the day oct 4

I run ROX 24/7.  However I will say that I have found that I have to do very frequent water changes to get good growth and colour from the sps, are the two things related?  I don't know, but since things are working, I'll just keep up with the big water changes

 

[spyd]

Re: Question of the day oct 4

I think carbon is fine running 24/7. Just keep it compact, no tumbling. The findings they have are the result of carbon dust that can actually cause HLLE. So, just soak your carbon or rinse it off prior to running it in your reactor. Tumbling will break it down and cause issues with your tank as well so keep it compacted in your reactor. Other than that, it is very safe to use if used correctly.