activated carbon in reef

[ReefFan]

Ive been using carbon on my drip plate above my wet dry. I notice the instructions on the back of coral vite and trace element bottles say to "Add immediately after carbon use." Does this mean the carbon has been taking elements out of my water. Perhaps i should not be using it continuously? It definetely hasnt been taking Mg out. I may actually be high on MG if anything.

 

[MartinE]

Yes carbon does take elements out of the water, but you can run it all the time as many do. Imo if you keep up with your water change schedule and change out the carbon at regular intervals you will be fine.

 

[Len]

Carbon does more good than harm. I would run it continuously and keep up with my additives (I prefer two part solutions like Bionic, C-balance, or bulk offerings from twopartsolutions).