johnr2604;409357 wrote: Yes, running carbon helps. If all else fails run ozone. I had a long talk with Anthony Calfo last year about mixed reefs. This was a lot of the reason I quit running a mixed reef in my 30. His oppinion was that on such a small tank the only way to be successful long term and get the maximum growth out of my SPS would be to run ozone. Bigger tanks are a different story. Running carbon actively can do a pretty good job on those. Ozone would also be optimum but not as necessary.
A few thoughts on carbon use for 'chemical warfare' issues-
1) GAC (grannular activated carbon) does not adsorb all substances from water.
2) Of the substances that are adsorbed, all are not adsorbed equally well.
3) Adsorption does not necessarily 'neutralize' a compound's toxic properties, as it is still intact.
4) Only after removal of the GAC with the adsorbed toxin may you assume the toxicity has ceased (this is why I change GAC regularly, when used).
5) It is virtually impossible to remove 100% of a toxin from a body of water using GAC. The lower the concentration, the less it is adsorbed.
6) Because of the above, GAC is no panacea (cure all) where toxins are concerned.
7) In the absence of other alternatives, using GAC is a good idea, and generally won't hurt. Just understand it's limits.
Below is a link that contains a table, toward the end, that illustrates the varying adsorption properties of GAC for different substances, for illustration purposes.
http://www.lenntech.com/library/adsorption/adsorption.htm">http://www.lenntech.com/library/adsorption/adsorption.htm</a>
Regarding ozone:
1) Very potent oxidizer.
2) Can destroy living tissues of most organisms.
3 If used, plan on running the ozonated water through GAC before returning it to the tank, as GAC will destroy the ozone.
4) Research this thoroughly before use, or you may 'fry your reef' by accident.
. Do a search on it and you will find a ton of info. There is to much to list here. In short it sterilizes your tank. I run a mixed reef in my 120 without it. I just use carbon.
