Activated carbon questions

[sfarid123]

Hey guys,

I'm planning to use activated carbon in my Phospan 150.

My questions are :

I) Are there any good brands/ good deals that you can suggest?

II) How often do you need to run the reactor and change the media?

III) Is it safe to use it in a mixed reef tank with Softies, a BTA, and

Acroporas?

thanks

[bertoni]

1. SeaChem Matrix is one good type of carbon. There are some others, listed in the chemistry forum. I run carbon continuously and replace it about once a month. It's fine to run in a mixed reef, in my opinion.

[scotmc]

I use seachem. I run carbn to polish the water and run it as needed. I can go weeks with out a change. Carbon will remove trace elements. There was a thread about carbon and the effects on coral. For the most part it is fine.

[steven_dean17]

http://www.twopartsolution.com/index...ex&cPath=74_38

[ihopss]

I use it when I need it.

[McTeague]

With my freshwater tank I like to use this:



I strongly believe that no matter what brand, if you leave it in there too long it will start to leech contaminants, especially phosphates and silicates, into the water. I have no proof of this other than the super tough blue green freshwater hair algae that appears if it is left in too ling.

[sfarid123]

Thanks for all the great info

Last question is which media would my BTA benfit the most? Activated carbon or Phosban or do a combo media in my TLF Phosban 150 ??

Thanks again

[bertoni]

I use a combination. The BTA might not much care. Activated can remove toxins from soft corals, which can be useful. High phosphate might cause the BTA some problems, although I'm not convinced that it would.