Carbon Tube Filtration System. Reality or Myth?

[ND]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie thus fishing around for more info at
About.com/Sal****er-Aquarium section when I stumbled on this article:

DIY Carbon Tube Filtration System

By combining Hiatt's Tri-Based Pelletized Carbon (TBPC) and Right Now
Bacteria (RN) in a closed filtration system, you can cycle a tank in
24Hrs and not to worry about Nitrate because this filtration system is
also acts as a Denitrator. That is somewhat the claim from About.com.

Here is the link to About.com on the article

http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/weekly/aa012899.htm

Has anyone tried this approach? If so, then can you please share your
experience (good or bad)? I'm about to setup a new sal****er tank
(FO) thus any info would greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
ND

[Billy]

"ND" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> Hi All,
>
> DIY Carbon Tube Filtration System
>


Sounds like snake-oil sales to me, of course, I'm hopelessly cynical.


billy

[bergzy]

makers of aquarium products will always claim to have newer and better
products.

after a brief scan of your link...i would generally avoid claims like
this. i prefer a natural cycling of a tank...whether fish or reef.

i have heard of this method but i know of no one (and i have a lot of
reef aquarium friends) using this method for their own mega-dollar
system. it is just not worth the risk. patience is the key to having
a successful tank...allowing it to mature and adjust as needed.

three types of carbon is not impressive to me. what that translates to
me is that...there are three types of carbon which means...there are
three types of carbon. no magic here.

a denitrator, from the ones i know about, takes time to mature and are
tricky to use for the experienced and downright dangerous for the
novice.

for a fish only system...i would have good mature cured live rock, a
good skimmer and some powerheads to move some water in the tank...and
that is about all you need for a fish only tank. oh yeah...just use
some carbon you get at a fish store local or online. ;)