0morrokh

I have some loose carbon I want to use in a tank to remove meds...and I'm wondering what I can put it in. Also does the carbon have to go into a filter with water running through it or can it just be placed in the tank? (the tank has a sponge filter...currently it has a hob in it which is cycling for use in a q tank but I'm planning on getting fish soon, so I'd rather not have to use the hob usless that's the only way the carbon's effective.)

atmmachine816

As far as I'm aware of you need to put it in your hob as the water passes through it that way or at the output of your filter. Guess if you have nothing to put in it you could put in a a thin sock or go buy some filter floss and make a bag out of it.

Butterfly

The foot of a panty hose is perfect for holding carbon Since the water has to circulate through the carbon for it to be effective I would say the HOB is the place for it.
Carol

chickadee

Using the carbon in the HOB should not keep it from being suitable for the other tank as long as the illness that you were using the meds for is cleared up. I think you can use it to remove the meds and still cycle the filter.

Rose

0morrokh

The reason I didn't want to use it was just because I want the hob available so I can get more fishies soon. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to put off getting my Betta a little bit longer. The panty hose idea is great I wonder if I have any...

atmmachine816

O well as soon as you finish removing meds if that's what your doing you can move the HOB filter, you can do water changes to remove them faster.

0morrokh

Yes I know but I hate waiting!!! :P :

Changing subject completely, I love what it says in your sig, "2 gals isn't a tank, get some flowers" isn't it? lol, but so true

0morrokh

Ok, I put some carbon in a knee high panty hose (works great) and stuck it in the hob.* Any ideas on how long it's going to take to remove the meds?* The carbon is the amount that goes in one small bio bag...a good handful or so.
Oh, also I've done 2 20-25% water changes since I stopped medicating. The med I used was Melafix, dosed it for a week. Tank is 20 gals. The hob that is in there is for my 10 gal q tank so that could slow down how fast it removes the meds.
I am just looking for a rough estimate for how long it could take.

atmmachine816

Not sure, not more than a week, especially if you do a 50% water change.

Well if it's three gallons you might offend some people that have three gallon tanks like Rose, I didn't want to offend her LOL three gallons is ok too

0morrokh

Well, I did another 25% change yesterday so if my math is correct there should be 30ml of meds left in the tank (total was 70ml at end of treatment), not including what the carbon has removed. The smell is definately going away. (phew that Melafix is strong, my whole family always complains whenever they go downstairs )
Anyone knw how long I have to leave the carbon in? I really want to get more fishies soon so I need that filter available...

atmmachine816

I don't know but I wouldn't think more than a week especially if you do water changes, but don't quote me on that.

chickadee

If you do some more water changes this week and keep the carbon in for a couple of days it should have it gone. The filter should be okay to use in the 10 gallon, but do not use the filter media that was in the filter for a betta tank. (not without a rinse in some water that does not contain Melafix at least) I think that one general rule is that you should not be able to smell the Melafix for sure.

So don't worry about the 3 gallon tank, I do not use it full time except to quarantine fish now. Since the 12 gallon got here it has been relegated to hospital/quarantine tank status. And it does not have a thing in it but plants and gravel at the moment as there are no fish in there and I needed to have the room for the plants for a bit.

Rose

0morrokh

I will do a few more water changes this week. The carbon will be in till Friday when I'm getting some new fishies.

Since the carbon is in the filter I don't think there should be any Melafix in there, but I will make sure to rinse it out with clean dechlored water. There couldn't possibly be enough Melafix left anywhere on the filter by Friday (and after rinsing it) to hurt Bettas, could there?

Whoa where'd the 3 gallon tank thing come from? Sorry I'm a bit out of it today. :P

atmmachine816

I think it came from my signature.

Are you going to use media from another tank to cycle.

0morrokh

I am cycling the hob filter by running it in a cycled tank with fish. I will then move it to another tank to use, nicely seeded.