Is it possible to have too much activated carbon?

[Intheflesh]

I have reason to suspect that running carbon has had adverse effects on my tank. I change my carbon every other water change- so probably once per month. Last time I changed it, I noticed my leather shriveled up, looked like it was going to melt away, my zoos wouldnt open, and stuff generally wasn't looking too good. After a few days with no signs of improvement, I took my carbon out (passive- I just have it sitting in a mesh bag in my sump) and within hours, my toadstool start to open back up, a few polyps came out, and my zoos look like they are recovering as well.

Is it possible I was running too much carbon and shocked the system? There may have been other factors at play too, but this seems to make the most sense.

 

[JohnK]

I have heard of corals suffering some light shock due to carbon rapidly increasing the water clarity. Not sure what else might happen though?

 

[Docstach]

Could there be a contaminant in the carbon that is upsetting everything? Or is a bunch of carbon dust getting into the display (unlikely)?

 

[Intheflesh]

Could there be a contaminant in the carbon that is upsetting everything? Or is a bunch of carbon dust getting into the display (unlikely)?

I don't think it is a contaminant. I have been using this jug of carbon for about 4 -5 months. and I am half way through the container. I always rinse too. Funny, I was just thinking about a contaminant in the carbon.


I usually put about a cup or so in the bag, and change it out monthly. The tank is 50 gallons, plus maybe 12-15 gallons for the sump.

I took the carbon out last weekend, and didn't replace it. After taking the carbon out, things started to look better. Since then, I have also done a 20% WC (last night)and have changed 2 of my 6 bulbs in my t5 fixture (Monday). Too much has changed at this point to pin point if it were the carbon or not.

 

[Bobbofin]

I too have taken the carbon out and noticed that my Zoas and LPS seem to do better. Maybe because those corals come from lagoon type areas, not the open reef, and are used to a little dirtier water? Just guessing, input welcome.

 

[delta]

Any chance you got more dust from the bottom of the container and didn't rinse it enough? At the bottom there is more dust, so more rinsing

 

[Intheflesh]

Very good point delta. I honestly don't know

 

[choff]

Could it be related to the WC? Either a new salt bucket, improperly mixed or parameters not close enough of a match? Was it larger than normal?

What pct of water are you changing?

When I used to do larger water changes I would notice many of my corals used to react poorly. The most sensitive was my toadstool. That would close up every water change and sometimes it would even start sliming.

I have since shifted to more frequent smaller water changes.

Just throwing other options out there.

...stupid auto correct

 

[Intheflesh]

Could it be related to the WC? Either a new salt bucket, improperly mixed or parameters not close enough of a match? Was it larger than normal?

What pct of water are you changing?

When I used to do larger water changes I would notice many of my corals used to react poorly. The most sensitive was my toadstool. That would close up every water change and sometimes it would even start sliming.

I have since shifted to more frequent smaller water changes.

Just throwing other options out there.

...stupid auto correct

Water change was after I started seeing the negative effects and took out the the carbon. Actually things looked pretty normal at the time of WC