Carbon

owen4030 · July 14th, 2007

I have switched my 150 gallon tank from salt to fresh. (cleaned before switch) It has been running for about a week. I have two small catfish with a tide pool filter system. My question is should you keep active carbon in the tide pool filter system. How long should I keep the carbon in. I have heard that I should only use it for a short time cause of pH leak. Should I replace it with more filter media. Would it help the tank if I used my protein skimmer.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
PAUL

COBettaCouple · July 14th, 2007

welcome to fishlore! i'm afraid i don't know a lot about that type of filter system, but i'd recommend this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113805 if you do use A/C since you have to replace it less often than typical AC which lasts a week or 2 at the most before releasing what's been captured.

pappyy3 · July 15th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by owen4030

I have switched my 150 gallon tank from salt to fresh. (cleaned before switch) It has been running for about a week. I have two small catfish with a tide pool filter system. My question is should you keep active carbon in the tide pool filter system. How long should I keep the carbon in. I have heard that I should only use it for a short time cause of Ph leak. Should I replace it with more filter media. Would it help the tank if I used my protein skimmer.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
PAUL

Is there as reason why your are using active carbon in your tank?

I would replace this with other filter media and not use carbon at all ...

Callum The Cat · July 15th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by owen4030

I have switched my 150 gallon tank from salt to fresh. (cleaned before switch) It has been running for about a week. I have two small catfish with a tide pool filter system. My question is should you keep active carbon in the tide pool filter system. How long should I keep the carbon in. I have heard that I should only use it for a short time cause of Ph leak. Should I replace it with more filter media. Would it help the tank if I used my protein skimmer.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
PAUL

i did have AC but i got rid of it because it call unless u cange often enough it can realease harmfull bacteria into ur tank so i dont us it anymore

Peace Out Callum!

COBettaCouple · July 15th, 2007

that's what i like about this marineland carbon, it says 4-6 weeks between changes so we'll see how accurate that is and if it's worth the money. i just added it to the filters in some of our tanks for the 1st time yesterday when i did the tank cleaning and will see how long it lasts.

Callum The Cat · July 15th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLBettaCouple

that's what i like about this marineland carbon, it says 4-6 weeks between changes so we'll see how accurate that is and if it's worth the money. i just added it to the filters in some of our tanks for the 1st time yesterday when i did the tank cleaning and will see how long it lasts.

i can if not changed often enough i was told once a month it can release harmful bacteria back into the tank

Peace Out Callum!

COBettaCouple · July 15th, 2007

most carbon needs replaced weekly, but this AC is a different type of carbon that's more effective and long-lasting: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113805. i figured it was worth a test run and if it works as advertised then i'll be putting it in all the tanks.

owen4030 · July 15th, 2007

Thanks for the info. I have learned alot about how salt care and freash water care diffs.
Thanks
Paul

vin · July 16th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLBettaCouple

most carbon needs replaced weekly, but this AC is a different type of carbon that's more effective and long-lasting: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113805. i figured it was worth a test run and if it works as advertised then i'll be putting it in all the tanks.

Actually, the weekly bit is to get you to buy more....You should be fine at 4 weeks.....

griffin · July 16th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLBettaCouple

most carbon needs replaced weekly, but this AC is a different type of carbon that's more effective and long-lasting: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113805. i figured it was worth a test run and if it works as advertised then i'll be putting it in all the tanks.

how do you determine if the carbon is still "active?"

COBettaCouple · July 17th, 2007

with typical carbon, we just gave it a week and changed it.. this marineland black diamond is supposed to give off a smell when it's ready to be changed so we'll actually have a warning now.. i might still just change it every 4 weeks even if it isn't quite used up yet.. just to go along with the filter bag clean or change.

asymmetry · January 11th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBettaCouple

that's what i like about this marineland carbon, it says 4-6 weeks between changes so we'll see how accurate that is and if it's worth the money. i just added it to the filters in some of our tanks for the 1st time yesterday when i did the tank cleaning and will see how long it lasts.

How do you know when it's time to change the carbon? I know this is an old post, but I'm curious.

COBettaCouple · January 13th, 2008

We followed a schedule for replacing it weekly. Sometimes the carbon will release a foul smell when it gives out and dumps all that it's collected but then it's past time to change it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asymmetry

How do you know when it's time to change the carbon? I know this is an old post, but I'm curious.

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