Using Carbon to Polish Water

[Myka]

Originally Posted by DKoKoMan

I have a filter sock in my sump, then protein skimmer, green filter and then my return pump. Majority of the "dust particles" have disappeared now. I have cleaned my sock more frequently and fine tuned my skimmer. I'm hoping the carbon will reduce the yellow tinge. I confirmed the particles in the DT were not micro bubbles and no micro bubbles being formed in the sump.

Great! Vacuuming the sand during waterchanges helps too, and if your tank can support one, a sand sifting fish can really help too.

[gregzz4]

I started off 4-5 years ago using the BRS recommended amount of carbon.
I scaled it back to only 100ml for my 115g system.
Lately I've not been using any. My water is staying clear with a large sock, nitrogen dosing, and very little to no use of GFO.
Still tweaking the nitrogen addition, but haven't used carbon in at least 2-3 months.
My tank is mixed corals.

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I started off 4-5 years ago using the BRS recommended amount of carbon.
I scaled it back to only 100ml for my 115g system.
Lately I've not been using any. My water is staying clear with a large sock, nitrogen dosing, and very little to no use of GFO.
Still tweaking the nitrogen addition, but haven't used carbon in at least 2-3 months.
My tank is mixed corals.

Gregzz, what kind of skimmer are you running? Within 2 days of my carbon bag in the sump, the water is looking nice and clear. That being said cleaning the filter sock more frequently and my finicky skimmer has helped!