namehater

i have a question-

when using either of your methods should i remove any carbon media from my filter?

agabr123

no, you should only remove carbon if you are medicating the tank, and then put it back in when you want to take the meds out

but remember that the carbon should be changed every 2-3 weeks or so

Peterpiper

Yes, remove the carbon.
The carbon will start to remove the ammonia.
The only things you need in the tank is a heater, air or O2 exchange and the bio media in the filter. the carbon will do nothing to help with the cycle

Je55*e

^even when cycling or just after the tank is established?

Peterpiper

Once the tank has cycled and the required water change has been done the carbon can be placed back in the system.

Je55*e

I've never heard of that. May I ask why?

agabr123

i had always read that that wasn't actually true, i'll go check

Peterpiper

Carbon is used to polish water and remove chems.
To me, if you are cycling a tank or filter why would you add carbon?
You are going to be doing a 100% water change anyway, just dont see why you would spend the $ on something that is not required during the cycle

agabr123

i've never read that it actually removes ammonia, though, and if you already have it in your filter during the cycle it seems somewhat counterintuitive to remove it after it's already wet and then put it back in once it's finished.

i agree though, if you DONT already have carbon in your filter, it's probably just easier to wait until after the cycle, since it definitely doesnt help anything, and it would probably need to be replaced immediately after the cycle finished anyways because it would have started leaching things back into the water by then. so on that i agree with you

Je55*e

I suppose that does make sense. Thanks, I'll think about that.

namehater

i have another question-

if i am able to 'seed' the tank needing cycled which is the best method to use or does that matter?

Peterpiper

By seeding you are jump starting the cycle, so it dose not matter.
I would always add ammonia to 2-3ppm daily