randrjax

I've been reading a few threads and noticed that most recomend removing carbon. Does running carbon cause problems?

I'm having some high nitrite problems and wasn't sure if this is contributing to it. I've done 30% water changes for the past 3 weeks and still can't get it down.

Dino

Carbon only has a functioning life of a few hours.
So unless you are, say removing meds or other carbon compounds, carbon really doesnot do that much toward filtering an aquarium.

What size is the tank and what is stocked in it?

randrjax

30 gal. Mainly guppies and platys. 3 Bleeding Heart Tetras that I got my wife for Valentines day. 14 total fish.

sirdarksol

What Dino said is pretty much it (it can last a bit longer in particularly pure water, or run out of space quicker in particularly bad water). Then, after awhile, it seems the carbon starts breaking down, releasing whatever it's soaked up back into the tank.
Carbon does offer excellent biological filtration, as it has a ton of surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize, but there are neutral media that allow for the same thing without the negative on the side.

Narcicius

Yeah, but by remove do you mean to cut up those cartridges and dump the carbon out?

Chief_waterchanger

Yes.

randrjax

OK so if I go in and remove the carbon, I will be throwing away alot of my biological filter. Any good ways to transition? Say put a spounge inside of the filter media for a few weeks and then remove the carbon? I just got my tank cycled so I don't want to start all over from scratch.

sirdarksol

Yes.
Does your filter not already have a sponge? Is the filter media all just one big package?
If it comes in multiple pieces (like a sponge for mechanical filtration, then the bag for the carbon), you should be able to pull the bag out and replace it without much worry.

randrjax

The filters I have right now are Whisper power filters that hang behind the tank. It's got a bag that holds carbon. I just wasn't sure how much bacteria grows on the carbon vs how much grows on the filter. I bought some spounges and I will just stick those inside the filter bag for 2 or 3 weeks then remove the carbon all together.

sirdarksol

Whisper filters should come with the bags of carbon as well as a bio-sponge that is set on a black frame.

If you leave the sponge on, you should be fine changing the bag out (just take one of the bags and don't put the carbon in it). That's what it was made to do. As long as you don't change both at the same time, your tank should be good (unless it's heavily overpopulated).

eepruls

I have an AquaClear 20 which has the three filter components (sponge on the bottom, carbon bag, and bio-stones at the top in the basket). I too have read that the carbon component isn't really necessary unless medicating. If I remove the carbon bag what should be put in its middle spot in the basket? Another foam sponge or nothing (just sponge and bio-stones then)?

hssea

in my 26 gall i have a aquatech filter (double cartrige type), each side has a sponge and the blue cartridge that contains the carbon, if i cut the blue materia and shake out the carbon I shouldn't be losing much bacteria, right? if i totally take out the blue cartridge that seems to be losing alot of bacteria

vin

<<Carbon only has a functioning life of a few hours.
So unless you are, say removing meds or other carbon compounds, carbon really doesnot do that much toward filtering an aquarium.>>

Actually, this is incorrect information. Typically, carbon lasts 2-3 weeks and is used for assisting in removal of toxins or tanins that can build up in water and acts as a biological filter as well. It is also used to help remove medication when treatment has been completed. I ALWAYS use carbon in my filters. The issue with carbon is that if left in too long, it will release some of what it traps back into the water as it can only retain so much. So it you do use it, be sure to be diligent and change it regularly.

I use both preloaded cartridges and cartridge kits depending upon which is on sale. Be sure to rinse the new cartidge in used tank water before putting it into the filter. Carbon dust is toxic to fish. If rinsed properly, it's not an issue.

sirdarksol

Out of curiosity, Vin, what are you basing the 2-3 week thing on?

The reason I ask is that carbon has limited space to pick stuff up in. Most of our tanks have so much garbage in them that Dino's statement is about right. Beyond that point, the carbon is more or less full and serves as little more than biological media (although it's excellent biological media).
The makers of the carbon packets tell us that it's good for 2-3 weeks, but that doesn't mean that it's actually doing anything most of that time.

Hmmmm... Gives me an idea for a test. I just need to figure out if carbon sucks up certain chemicals. Maybe I can go for a starch and iodine test (not in a stocked tank, of course, but in a simple, empty setup). I will report back with information when and if I perform this experiment.

LetDiceFly

I find this all very curious. All filter manufacturers make a point of including carbon as part of the filter and do not offer as an option carbon-less media. I have heard that carbon actually has a negative effect on planted tanks. So why wouldn't the manufacturers offer this option rather than see people start using 3rd party cut to fit type media instead. In fact it is quite the opposite they are coming up with all kinds of other chemical media that are even more efficient at removing dissolved organics.

susitna-flower

It's simple enough, they make the filters and provide only enough information to lead people to believe they HAVE to have them, and change them every couple of weeks, because that is the way they can continue to make money on the sale of the filter......it all boils down to $$$$$. Ours going into THEIR pocket.

You are so right, plants need the minerals and other nutrients in the water, carbon removes these and actually causes more problems than it solves in planted tanks.

I do not use carbon, unless removing medications, and NEVER use the other products that stress a magic cure of "absorbing ammonia". I prefer to let the nitrogen cycle work......

sirdarksol

Exactly. It's not difficult to do. Because it's so ingrained in the aquarist culture that carbon is just necessary, most people just go along with the belief.
The same thing happens all over the place. There are ways to make gasoline engines more efficient and powerful, but doing so requires changing from the standard piston-driven engine, which has been in use so long that most people just figure a gas engine needs to be piston-driven. Companies and people have grown so used to trans fats that, despite the fact that we know that they are even worse than saturated animal fats, there are still people who use them. Antibacterial soaps continue to flourish (to the point that it's hard to find a non-antibacterial soap) even though several studies have shown that washing with regular soap removes just as many microbes from the skin. It's all a matter of habit, belief, and someone willing to exploit those habits and beliefs.

vin

I got the 2-3 weeks from research and conversations with a marine biologist from Mystic Aquarium in CT and a DEP officer at the local DEP Fishery. They use AC in their filtration systems regularly. Typically, activated carbon in a home aquarium can take the load for about 4 weeks. Hence, the manufacturers recommendation to change it monthly before it starts leeching impurities back into the water. Additionally, I have a coffee maker that uses activated carbon for filtering water. It tells you to change the cartridge every 4-6 weeks. My undersink water filter tells us to change the carbon filter every 6 weeks. They do get their fair share of chlorine and disolved minerals....And actually, contrary to what you've stated, the reason carbon is so effective is because of the surface area it provides for absorbtion. Carbon becomes ineffective when left in the filter too long and the pores are full of impurities. As stated earlier, it's at that time that they leech back into the water.

A little over a year ago, I did a write up based on some research I had done regarding the use of activated carbon and the avg. life in the home aquarium and posted it on this site....Unfortunately I can't recall where I got the information from or where it would be at this point....