Llama

My cannister filter came with an activated carbon pad which is suggested I keep for the first 2 weeks of aquarium function, which I did (2 weeks are almost up)

The question is, after I remove it, do I throw it away? Or can I keep it in case of an emergancy or something? Is it reusable?

Jonah

After a couple of weeks the carbon will start to leech back into the tank whatever it removed in the 1st place, some folks have recommended that you can re-use by rinsing well, drying and then reusing. I don't thats just me mind.

I only use carbon when I have something in the tanks I want out, eg tannins from some driftwood I didn't prepare well enough, it also will remove most meds from the tank if you use them.

Most of the time the slot for carbon in my filter is replaced with normal floss and the carbon only goes in for whatever reason I need it there then it is removed and discarded.

Last time I had some in and forgot to take it out it contributed to helping me crash my cycle.