CoryMac

I use carbon in my established tank, Just want to know if people use it regularly or for taking out med from a tank, whether you like it or not.

pinkfloydpuffer

I only use it to remove meds. I'd rather save $$$ and not have to worry about changing it monthly.

Toxic

Same here, I remove it from my filters. I have reused filter media until it falls apart.

CoryMac

im going off the subject here, the "fishKeeping" thing on our profile. i used to keep chiclids fish for about 8 years straight about 2 years ago i just recently started again but with freshwater fish & back that i was inexperience, so im a "beginner & 8 years or something

CoryMac

but doesn't carbon help remove discoloration,harmful organic substances & eliminates odors. or can filter floss do all that.?

midnightwolf

i think i have a carbon filter and i have carbon cartriges but i removed the carbon from the cartrige and now i want to know if i can use filter media in a carbon filter that is designed to hold to carbon catriges?

agabr123

it does help to remove it, but will (if not changed frequently about once a month) begin to leach everything that it removes back into the tank. it's fairly easy to use carbon in a canister filter, or if you have two bags of filter media in your filter (one for just the floss and one for carbon) so that the one with carbon is easily changed, but otherwise the filter floss is adequate.

CoryMac

have 4 media cartridges for my bio wheel 350 i can use 2 for carbon & 2 for filter floss right, and be able to just change the carbon when needed

agabr123

that should work, i would try to get the carbon on a rotating schedule though so that you change the first carbon filter week one, change the second carbon filter week three, change the first carbon filter week five, and so on and so forth

hopefully that makes sense

CoryMac

yes i do see what saying, but i have to ask, why not at the same time??

agabr123

so that you don't go into a mini-cycle, getting the pieces on a rotation like that won't disturb too much of the bacteria on your filter

namehater

seems to me like agabr is suggesting that so that you know you always have good carbon going, whereas if you change it all at the same time, there could be a point in which you would be using 'expired' carbon for a little bit

prairielilly

I use it to remove meds only.

Wyphy

If you add fertilizer for plants, carbon will remove a lot of it (maybe all of it).
That's why I don't use carbon.
I have some if I want to run it short term though.

AlyeskaGirl

i used to use it all the time but now only for med removal. Gets expensive.

aquarist48

I use carbon and white diamond religiously. It helps to keep the water clear and smelling fresh (as fresh as a fish tank can smell). I change it all every 3 weeks. Fortunately I haven't had to use medications in my tank in the past 8 years.

Shawnie

anyone who overstocks a tank should use carbon...it helps regulate the water parimeters...but does need to be changed out every 3 weeks or you are defeating its purpose IMO...and even tanks that are not overstocked, it works great as aquarist48 said but deffinately after 3 weeks a new one is needed...it can be expensive but its all part of fish keeping....it comes down to each persons decision I think

Fla_Larry

Regular usage yes, but removed if medicating,
AC performs some things that no other media can it removes tannins and oders, so if neither are of concern to you, the you would have no need for AC.

I do have to disagree on that statement.

Removed organic, particles and substances adsorbed by the carbon will remain biologically active. Trapped waste particles will still decay and remain part of the aquatic system. activated carbon is therefore best used on a short term basis and replaced regularly.

The quantity of carbon needed for an aquarium is about 3 tablespoons of carbon for each 50 Gallons of water. Carbon is quickly used up and can be removed after just 24-48 hours. If left in the system longer, it will no longer serve its purpose.

Once the activated carbon has been used up the re-release of the adsorbed substances back into the aquarium is minimal.

Also note thta the preferred process is to slowly trickle water over the AC, unlike in many filters in current use, it takes the AC much longer to do it's job, BUT far more AC can also be added in many Canister filters so will remain viable for 3 - 4 weeks . Now unless your running many many tanks a tablespoon of carbon is .5 ounces of AC so a 55 gallon tank will suffice with 1.5 oz, and 16oz cost $9.00 that works out to what $0.75 per month for a single 55 g tank, for that you can splurge and swap it every week for under 5.00 per month, pretty cheap source of insurance for me.

Remember of course YMMV, i choose to use it, some do not. That choice should be made on simple personal preferance, and the manner in which you maintain your fishs EcoSystem

Please do not make that decision based bad theories, and certianly never on cost, If you cant afford something , you should not be attempting to keep a living creature on such a tight budget. Sure it might survive, but how much is your fishs comfort worth?

Again just my .02 worth.

hockeyref88

Well....................................... This subject can become quite touchy as I've seen on other forums.......... I have been on both sides of the fence on this one. I used to use carbon on every tank, now I use none. Of course its up to each individual and there preferences but for me If you service your tank/tanks regularly you don't need it.................. My tanks seem so much better now that I don't use it even though the guy's at my LFS preach using it. Of course they do have a stake in it as well.........................