Carbon - Yes or No?

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by sphelps

You can't say a tank has crashed from not using carbon, plan and simple. You can argue the use of carbon MAY prevent a crash but the lack off is certainly not a cause.
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But if it can be demonstrated that carbon removes compounds that otherwise cannot be removed by skimming or water changes, then it is providing a function that is helping a closed system exist in good health for longer. Claiming that it's pointless to run things on the hopes it helps promote longer term health, on the basis that "something else will ruin it for you in the meantime" is like saying go ahead and enjoy an unhealthy lifestyle because who knows maybe you'll die in a car accident. It may be a technically true statement but that doesn't make it the best advice.

I take the viewpoint that there are certain best practices. To me, for the reasons that are outlined nicely in the link I put up earlier, I do consider carbon use a best practice approach. In this case I don't consider it optional whatsoever. I know it's providing a function that serves to keep the system at optimal health.