Activated Carbon = HLLE?

The Theory: Activated Carbon can/does cause Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE) in Marine fish.

The Question: Has anyone had any experience with this? From the research I have done I can’t pin down my own opinion on the matter. Looking for personal experiences on this one. I currently run GFO and Carbon in my dual reactor 24/7. I was going to get a Yellow Tang started in my QT tank this weekend but came across a couple posts that claimed their Tangs developed HLLE due to running carbon on their systems, when the carbon was removed the fish recovered. Maybe a case of misdiagnosis, a coincidence that the fish recovered after removal of the carbon? A lot of people run carbon successfully with no issues so you would think if it was truly causing HLLE to develop that it would be well known and documented by this point.

Thanks in advance!

-Chad

 

Thanks. I’m leaning that way as well. Just not enough concrete evidence out there for me to go pulling out carbon all together. I actually run two probes in my system. One in the sump at all times during normal operation. Then I drop one in my DT when I do maintenance since the path through the return/drain lines is cut off when the pumps are off. Grounding Probes are the cheapest form of insurance in this hobby, I probably have a dozen laying around. I also feed small amounts three times a day and clip seaweed soaked with garlic once a week for my Fox Face. I only have 3 fish at the moment so there isn’t much food going in either way. I’m extremely strict on my water changes. Every 10 days, 15 gallons comes out, 15 gallons goes in (The fiancée has learned that when the grey Brute can comes out all my other “chores” get put on hold). So hopefully all of that combined will pay off in the long run. That and actually using a QT system. Made that mistake on my first tank……never again will I drop a fish straight into the DT from a bag.

Appreciate the input.

 

Good to know. All I run is BRS. For GFO and Carbon

 

Thanks everyone. Exactly what I was looking for. So the take away here is that HLLE is not always a death sentence and like most other issues in this hobby, can be prevented/avoided. I'm going to continue running my carbon as it has been working great so far. Chief Reef - I looked into the carbon 24/7 pros and cons prior to setting up the reactor and ended up deciding to run it all the time. Partly because of the coral warfare aspect of some of the coral I eventually want to add. Also noticed a definite difference in water clarity after it was installed.

 

Good point. Now that you mention it, I have seen a lot of posts online about people tumbling their carbon. Not a good practice. Another reason I like the BRS dual stage. It tumbles the gfo in the first chamber then through the charcoal, sandwiched between foam in the second. But that does make sense, I can definitely see how breathing in carbon fines day after day would cause issues.