"TSJ" wrote in message ups.com...
There is mixed ideas with AC./ Lots depends on the type or quality of
the AC as well, but it does do good at removing discoloratin and odor.

Yes, it works very well at removing discoloation.
That is why I use it in my tank and see big difference
every time I change water...

If I do not use carbon, old water is yellow.
If I use carbon, old water is identical in color with fresh water.

Using carbon gives me water clarity and the best useage
of expensive lights over my tank. Yellowish colored water
filters out beneficial light waves and wastes light energy.

I believe and its also been proven that even the b est AC becomes
ineffective in a marine environment in short order, like 1 or two days
depending on disolved organic load...........and its also been proven
that AC also does a great job of removing rtoo much in the way of
biominerals and other useful materials as well, as the unwanted
disolved organics.

Can you name any of these beneficial biominerals whichs are
removed by the carbon?

Can you point me to the source where these two things are prooven?

However with the short life span in a marine
environment, I have my doubts if it will overly remove too much since
its proven it does not last long. Now if your changing out AC every
day or two then yes it can overdo the good with the bad....and yes
there is folks who are obsessed with changing out AC every day or
two.

I do not change carbon every day or two...
I kept it for the whole period between water changes.
This period varies with my lasyness from 3-4 weeks
to couple of months. Water stayed clear with carbon
even when carbon was there for months. This experience
tells me that carbon keeps working at removing discoloration
for weeks if not months.

I assume you do not have a protein skimmer.

Yes, I use small skimmer but it does not prevent water discoloration.

I personally prefer to
rely on my protein skimmer and water changes and use of RODI water.
Its been years since I even bought any AC. Just my observations.

Well, I am not going to tell you how to take care for your own tank,
but you can do one simple test for me during next water change.

Prepare two identical, empty, clean and white plastic buckets
(I use empty buckets from used up IO salt) and fill one with new,
freshly made sal****er. The second fill with water from your tank.
Then bring them close to each other and look down comparing
the water color. Tell me if your skimmer removed discoloration
as good as my carbon does... If the colors are IDENTICAL and
you cannot tell the difference which bucket contains fresh water
than I will agree with you that your skimmer works as good as carbon.
I am willing to bet that you will see the difference... it was obvious to me.