Super Basic Nano Newbie Question

[seb_negrete]

i'm starting up a 27 gal nano reef tank and am starting to acquire all the materials i need so that i can set things up slowly over the summer.
my question is this: where do i put the activated carbon or other chemical filter? i've used a HOB filter for all the other tanks i've set up thus far so i just don't know where it would go if it's not in a filter. can i actually just put it in the tank somewhere out of the way? i wouldn't think so but hey, what do i know...
thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

You have some options, but what you really want to do is put it in a position that has flow going directly through it. So a hang on, or gutted canister, or sump bubble wall tends to be the best choice

 

[crazyelece]

I wouldn't run carbon in a saltwater tank unless you are trying to pull out a medication or something else specific. Carbon will fill up in about 2 days time and then leach what it collected back into the tank. Most marine tanks I have seen never use carbon and they are perfectly clear.

 

[andywg]

I'm unusure about carbon leaching stuff back into the tank.

Part of its use is that it absorbs a number of different things from the tank. the problem is that once it has absorbed all it can it will no longer absorb these elements and if the carbon was relied upon for this then one will see a rise in the amount of these in the tank.

All carbon will leech some Phosphates into the tank (somemore than others - avoid FW carbon) but I am unsure of any science to support carbon suddenly changing from a nutrient exporter to importer.

 

[@ombomb]

The fact that carbon will leech things back into the water gets bandied around a lot, not sure how much truth is in it. As an alternative though, you can get absorption resin, which will not leak back into the tank.

http/www.kentmarine.com/saltwater/eoa2.html

 

[steelhealr]

I use ChemiPure and change it out every 3 months. The exact 'ingredients' are not stated but claims it is a type of resin. Certainly looks like it has activated carbon in it. Have not had any 'leeching' problems....well.....does anyone every REALLY know with a marine tank?

You can use an AquaClear HOB and use it to hold your filter media. SH