Carbon question

[Canuckgod420]

Does anyone know if changing carbon can cause a bleaching event. I replaced my 2 cups of carbon with fresh carbon and the next day half my SPS where white with no polyp extension, and almost all my LPS and rics where closed up. I dont get it, I have used carbon for years with no issues and this is the only thing I have done in the last couple of days.

[ScubaSteve]

It may have caused a swing in the pH. A pH swing is due to the carbon’s adsorption of chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, and other anions from the water, which caused a rise in the pH. Water pH remains elevated until the carbon’s pores become filled with these anions. Typically, 200 to 300 bed volumes of water must pass through carbon before pH drops to 8 or 8.5.

Typically we don't deal with large quantities of carbon with respect to out water volumes, so we don't often notice an effect, however, 2 cups may have been large enough to cause a swing.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Canuckgod420

Does anyone know if changing carbon can cause a bleaching event. I replaced my 2 cups of carbon with fresh carbon and the next day half my SPS where white with no polyp extension, and almost all my LPS and rics where closed up. I dont get it, I have used carbon for years with no issues and this is the only thing I have done in the last couple of days.

Did you change brands? Did you change the amount? Did you rinse it first? How long since you changed it last? I essentially use a tad more than you per gallon as I use 300 mL on a 90 gallon tank, changing this amount out has never cause me any issues.

[Canuckgod420]

Originally Posted by Myka

Did you change brands? Did you change the amount? Did you rinse it first? How long since you changed it last? I essentially use a tad more than you per gallon as I use 300 mL on a 90 gallon tank, changing this amount out has never cause me any issues.

I did change brands....I got the kent rabbit pellet looking carbon over the marineland I was using before, I did rinse it, and its been about 6 weeks since I last changed it. I actually reduced the amount of carbon I normally use. I usually fill my 2 little fishes reactor but this time I did about half(2 cups).

I too have never had an issue but as I stated earlier, this is the only thing I have changed in a long time.

[lastlight]

When you say new brand do you mean this wa also the first time using the new brand? I'd be switching back!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Canuckgod420

I did change brands....I got the kent rabbit pellet looking carbon over the marineland I was using before, I did rinse it, and its been about 6 weeks since I last changed it. I actually reduced the amount of carbon I normally use. I usually fill my 2 little fishes reactor but this time I did about half(2 cups).

I too have never had an issue but as I stated earlier, this is the only thing I have changed in a long time.

The Kent Reef Carbon is what I have used for a couple years now (got a bucket for cheap lol). I do boil carbon in RO/DI before using. Have you tested parameters lately? Did you turn the reactor off? Any difference with it off?

[msjboy]

I have heard when people put new reactors to their tank or change to a new reactor media , the media can strip the water so clean for the existing setup, established corals will go into shock and some may die. Guess best is to go slow and watch out for drastic changes to the water.

msjboy

[Canuckgod420]

Originally Posted by Myka

The Kent Reef Carbon is what I have used for a couple years now (got a bucket for cheap lol). I do boil carbon in RO/DI before using. Have you tested parameters lately? Did you turn the reactor off? Any difference with it off?

I have turned the reactor off.....no difference as of yet in my SPS but my rics are open today. I have tested my parameters and from what I can tell everything is right around where they should be.

Why do you boil you carbon? Is there something I am missing with that step? Is it to help remove any phosphates that may be in it?

Thanks

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Canuckgod420

Why do you boil you carbon? Is there something I am missing with that step? Is it to help remove any phosphates that may be in it?

Revisiting this thread...sorry I missed your followup question. Yeah, I boil it to help leach any phosphate out. There is a faint slightly greasy film (along with some black fines) that forms on the water surface while boiling. I lay dry paper towel on the surface and the film sticks to it for easy removal.

Did you ever use the Kent carbon again? Did you switch to a different brand now? Update...?

[Canuckgod420]

Right now I am carbon free.....thinking about trying it again.....