Do you use Carbon ?

[spedly]

Originally Posted by Jordon

I'm currently running Chemi-Pure Blue in my 20g nano, but will be switching to carbon only in the next few months (after i've exhausted the last of my Chemi-Pure Blue)

I like carbon as it really clears the water of any yellowing compounds and for me having a mixed reef, helps absorb some of the "chemical warfare" that can happen. I've personally never noticed any negative effects using carbon - only I have seen is if someone uses too much too fast or too much of an an aggressive variety (ROX 0.5 in large quantities). If you use a proper amount for your tank, it is only beneficial IMO.

I'll be switching to the Aquaforest carbon as it is larger pellets that work slowly and doesn't exhaust as fast. No shocking the tank.

This is a really good hint. I've been using Vertex ROX for about a year and a half now. It works great but it's expensive and has to be changed out fairly often. When I have to order more carbon I'm going to go with Aquaforest.

[brisco]

The only issue with carbon that I am aware of is that it has the potential to strip trace elements from the water. It can apparently continue to do this long after the beneficial properties of clearing the water are exhausted. Because of this I only run carbon for a few days at at time in a filter bag. Perhaps this is an urban myth.