"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"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.

the pores of activated carbon tend to clog up, stopping the absorbtion. it
depends upon what you're absorbing and how much is there.

i have an oceanclear filter and put a bag in the middle of the pleated
filter. i've also used a very fine nylon door screen in between layers of
carbon and other filtering material to contain it.

regards,
charlie