Warning- bad carbon will kill

[my2rotties]

I don't have corals but have been using the stuff for a month with no ill effect on anything. I honestly thought it works fantastic. The only thing I have noticed since using it is diatoms, which prob have nothing to do with the carbon. I never had an issue with them before.

I do see little rust spots in my reactor though, but maybe two or three little tiny pieces.

[blueyota]

I also have a small diatom breakout in my sand since using it so maybe it is linked together??

[Seamazter]

I had bought some quitencence carbon from wai;s a few years back.
It was the wai;s branded brand.
But i had huge diatom problems, 2 days after i removed the carbon it cleared up.
I have been told a few times, that the carbon absorbed all that it could and was starting to leech it back into the tank.
If u remove your carbon for 2 days then id say its your carbon too.

[globaldesigns]

Is this the same stuff that Ocean City had at their front door in small containers? They tried to sell me that, but I didn't!!!

If so, Whew!!!

Greg, sorry to hear about the problems. I hope everything recovers and to everyone else, take care.

[my2rotties]

Yup that is the stuff. I was really happy with how it was working but the diatoms concern me now that there might be a connection.

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

Is this the same stuff that Ocean City had at their front door in small containers? They tried to sell me that, but I didn't!!!

If so, Whew!!!

Greg, sorry to hear about the problems. I hope everything recovers and to everyone else, take care.

[Snappy]

I am very confused after reading this link.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...18e88315e12b13

It appears they add iron into some charcoal as a benefit. If it isn't the carbon that is the problem I'll need to go back to the drawing board.

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by Snappy

I am very confused after reading this link.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...18e88315e12b13

It appears they add iron into some charcoal as a benefit. If it isn't the carbon that is the problem I'll need to go back to the drawing board.

Anyway you can have the actual metal tested in the carbon? If you can verify its Iron then I would say its back to the drawing board but if its something else that could be your culprit. (That being said I do see what seems to be rust marks on the photos you provided which would lead me to think it is iron rusting...). Excess iron in the fish tank could attribute to some algae problems (Which would explain everyone with dinoflaggelets and slime) but should not be toxic at those levels (When I tore down my 54g I found 5 completely rusted razor blades in the sand ). Greg are you finding that everything in the tank is angry at you or just the coral? What ever the solution I hope you are able to find it fast!
Levi

[my2rotties]

Funny you mention this. I have had my carbon shut off for two days while treating for red slime. The diatoms are now gone. Crap this really sucks.

Originally Posted by Seamazter

I had bought some quitencence carbon from wai;s a few years back.
It was the wai;s branded brand.
But i had huge diatom problems, 2 days after i removed the carbon it cleared up.
I have been told a few times, that the carbon absorbed all that it could and was starting to leech it back into the tank.
If u remove your carbon for 2 days then id say its your carbon too.