Using Carbon in an SPS tank...

[pshea]

What are peoples thought's on using carbon in an SPS reef tank, I have read it can remove trace elements etc...
But my tank was starting to get a yellow tint last week so I added about 500ml on friday night and now the water is crystal clear again, I know after the carbon is exhausted it will release back into the system. What I was wondering is, should I keep it in for a week or two or just pull it out now that it has done what I wanted it to do?
As well if I do pull it and decide to use it for a few days every month, is it OK to let it sit out dry in a zip lock bag?

[The Grizz]

Many if not ALL the boy boys with SPS tanks on here run carbon.

[marie]

I use carbon in my tank 24/7. Every 6 weeks or so I change it out for new stuff

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Many if not ALL the boy boys with SPS tanks on here run carbon.

And big girls too And by big boys / girls I mean the ones that I wish my tank looked half as good as there's.

[FitoPharmer]

Down the Drain, Exports from Reef Aquaria by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

I found the first few paragraphs in this article to be a real eye opener. I do not think the article is about carbon usage. But I know other then absorbing organic compounds, carbons other job is to absorb heavy metals. I will be starting Carbon ASAP. I realize this might be where some of my problems come from in keeping any SPS other then montipora until now.

[pshea]

Thanks for the replys everyone, and thanks for the read pitopharmer. I may just be making a change to my husbandry.

[emerald crab]

How big is your tank? 500ml is a lot of carbon, unless you have a very big tank.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by marie

I use carbon in my tank 24/7. Every 6 weeks or so I change it out for new stuff

Same here but I do the change once a month.

[paddyob]

Carbon.

Have never, and will never, run a tank without it.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by emerald crab

How big is your tank? 500ml is a lot of carbon, unless you have a very big tank.

Or if you use cheap carbon.

Better grade carbons use much less.