rays and carbon

[Just Toby]

Carbon will sometimes cause a crash in pH. Just watch out for that.

Why does that happen then? I have heard the stories of it dumping back anything that has been taken out but that has been proven to be wrong.

I am not doubting you are wrong but keen to learn why?

I would only use carbon for polishing up the water or to remove a colour or medication.....If you have just lost a 3rd of filtration then I would be looking for bio and not something like carbon....save it for when you need it or hang it in a net in the water just by the outflow of the filter and then remove in 2 weeks.

Regular water changes should be doing anything that the carbon would be doing unless you fear some pollutant in the supply and if this is true I would add an HMA and remove before it hits the tank.

Carbon is a luxury and not a necessity...with one filter down you need necessity.

 

[rayray]

I've been using carbon with my ray for 5 years now. I don't think I will ever have a tank and not run it.

 

[jdbrock]

Carbon will sometimes cause a crash in pH. Just watch out for that.

This is a myth. Carbon won't cause pH crashes.

 

[Just Toby]

This is a myth. Carbon won't cause pH crashes.

The devotedly discus site who make the ham filter and is known for his knowledge says that carbon can raise the ph at the contact point but this soon returns to normal...would seem to buffer a little but not crash.