About carbon

[kenny1111]

i know that carbon can help to remove a lot of bad material in the water, But will they remove the BB in the system as well?

[garyjg]

Not to sound dumb but what BB in water?

[kenny1111]

sorry for the short form, it is Beneficial Bacteria

[garyjg]

Sorry Bro, but in tap water there no Beneficial Bacteria... that's why ppl filter out everything that's possible.

[Harlequinmania]

Carbon will not remove bacteria in the water, but harmful waste and chemical ect..

[CFOh]

Carbon will potential soften your water unless special treated.. also will not resolve Diatom issue..

[RushAct]

is there any pros and cons? when using them?

And how do you normally use them? put it in the sump or place it in a bucket where your newly mixed salt water is?

[kenny1111]

wth, the Yishun LFS cheat me, the sale Lady say carbon will remove BB in the filter system.

[Gouldian]

wth, the Yishun LFS cheat me, the sale Lady say carbon will remove BB in the filter system.

Hi bro,

Technically, she is not wrong. This is because, Granulated Activate Carbon aka GAC aka Carbon contains millions of tiny microscopic pores, these pores absorb heavy metals and organic molecules by trapping the molecules through a process know as molecular sieving. As more organics are trapped, Bacteria readily colonize the outer surface of the activated carbon and consume some of the sorbed organics.

Beneficial bacteria (aerobic) will cling onto any surface within your tank to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. Thus when GAC, filter wool, rocks, corals or anything that has been in your tank for a long period that have been removed, the bacteria that colonizes them will be removed as well.

That's why prudent hobbyists will stagger their maintenance of filtration medias so as to prevent removing too many bacteria at one time. And it is also one of the reasons why we practice partial water changes vs total water changes.

Source and interesting reads:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/9/beginner

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/rb102.htm

http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/does-a-reef-tank-need-carbon/

http://www.hallman.org/filter/gac.html

http://www.reefaquariuminfo.com/Chemical_Filtration.html

[Jameshong]

Hi bro,

Technically, she is not wrong. This is because, Granulated Activate Carbon aka GAC aka Carbon contains millions of tiny microscopic pores, these pores absorb heavy metals and organic molecules by trapping the molecules through a process know as molecular sieving. As more organics are trapped, Bacteria readily colonize the outer surface of the activated carbon and consume some of the sorbed organics.

Beneficial bacteria (aerobic) will cling onto any surface within your tank to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. Thus when GAC, filter wool, rocks, corals or anything that has been in your tank for a long period that have been removed, the bacteria that colonizes them will be removed as well.

That's why prudent hobbyists will stagger their maintenance of filtration medias so as to prevent removing too many bacteria at one time. And it is also one of the reasons why we practice partial water changes vs total water changes.

Source and interesting reads:

http://www.advanceda...2009/9/beginner

http://www.advanceda...e2002/rb102.htm

http://joejaworski.w...nk-need-carbon/

http://www.hallman.org/filter/gac.html

http://www.reefaquar...Filtration.html

n !

[kenny1111]

Hi bro,

Technically, she is not wrong. This is because, Granulated Activate Carbon aka GAC aka Carbon contains millions of tiny microscopic pores, these pores absorb heavy metals and organic molecules by trapping the molecules through a process know as molecular sieving. As more organics are trapped, Bacteria readily colonize the outer surface of the activated carbon and consume some of the sorbed organics.

Beneficial bacteria (aerobic) will cling onto any surface within your tank to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. Thus when GAC, filter wool, rocks, corals or anything that has been in your tank for a long period that have been removed, the bacteria that colonizes them will be removed as well.

That's why prudent hobbyists will stagger their maintenance of filtration medias so as to prevent removing too many bacteria at one time. And it is also one of the reasons why we practice partial water changes vs total water changes.

oh, now i understand. okok, going to buy the carbon and add it in.

[CFOh]

oh, now i understand. okok, going to buy the carbon and add it in.

Take note, as I mention Carbon will potential soften your water. in other words may lower your PH. Also potential absorbing other goodies & Bad. Try get better brand carbon if really want. and monitor your tank parameters closely.. But my opinion it is optional... Water change is the better approach. Just my tot... Cheers..