Changing Out Carbon Without Ruining Cycle?

I have two tanks, it's been about a month since I replaced carbon in my bettas tank and I recently adopted a 20 gallon. It looks like the person before me never did a gravel vacuum or changed out the carbon that came with the filter in 2 years (or ever). I've been running the 20 gallon for about 2 weeks now and added biomedia to the HOB filter (marineland 150) so I do have some pre existing bacterial built up..

My question is..

Will I lose too much bacteria if I replace both carbon packages in my 20 gallon at once? I have 2 water polishing pads with bacteria and 2 fuval sponges as well I plan on keeping in the filter. I do want the carbon because I'm about to do a gravel vacuum and clean this tank for the first time in probably ever and want the water to clear up afterward.

Same with my 10 gal with betta, just have a carbon cartridge and a fuval sponge and water polishing pad collecting bacteria.

Ia it safe to keep these polishing pads in full time aa biomedia or should I take them out? Been about a 2 weeks now with them in.

Thanks


20 gal with tetras and a pelco

 

You can change carbon whenever. Beneficial bacteria doesn’t colonize on carbon until it’s used up (about a month), so you’re able to change carbon inserts with no harm to your cycle plus you have other media in there and that’s where most, if not all, of your B.B. will be.

 

Exactly, the carbon is borderline useless with regards to BB. Also it has zero effect on ammonia, nitrate and nitrite.

 

I agree....... Good posting.......

 

I have two tanks, it's been about a month since I replaced carbon in my bettas tank and I recently adopted a 20 gallon. It looks like the person before me never did a gravel vacuum or changed out the carbon that came with the filter in 2 years (or ever). I've been running the 20 gallon for about 2 weeks now and added biomedia to the HOB filter (marineland 150) so I do have some pre existing bacterial built up..

My question is..

Will I lose too much bacteria if I replace both carbon packages in my 20 gallon at once? I have 2 water polishing pads with bacteria and 2 fuval sponges as well I plan on keeping in the filter. I do want the carbon because I'm about to do a gravel vacuum and clean this tank for the first time in probably ever and want the water to clear up afterward.

Same with my 10 gal with betta, just have a carbon cartridge and a fuval sponge and water polishing pad collecting bacteria.

Ia it safe to keep these polishing pads in full time aa biomedia or should I take them out? Been about a 2 weeks now with them in.

Thanks


20 gal with tetras and a pelco

Hello Betta...

Why are you spending money on chemical medium? Your tank doesn't need it. By simply removing and replacing most of the tank water every week, you're doing the same job as the carbon does. As for removing bacteria, the bacteria lives on all the surfaces inside the tank. The bacteria that's lost by removing the carbon will be replaced through reproduction in a few hours.

Old

 

Hello Betta...

Why are you spending money on chemical medium? Your tank doesn't need it. By simply removing and replacing most of the tank water every week, you're doing the same job as the carbon does. As for removing bacteria, the bacteria lives on all the surfaces inside the tank. The bacteria that's lost by removing the carbon will be replaced through reproduction in a few hours.

Old

True the tank doesn’t need it, but it really does help with water clarity. I stopped using carbon for a while and there wasn’t a huge difference, but my water didn’t seem as crystal clear as it previously did.

OP Stated their using it because they haven’t gravel vacummed - ever. So they want the water to clear up afterwards, which carbon does help with.

But I would really suggest that OP gravel vacuums every other week from now on at least. All that junk will build up, turn into ammonia, overload your cycle, and become a huge pain in the behind. It’s much easier just to clean it every other week than to do one massive clean every once in a while.

 

The detritus left from vacuuming can be cleared very quickly with a mechanical water polisher which is easily made. That allows you to avoid blowing money on carbon.

 

True the tank doesn’t need it, but it really does help with water clarity. I stopped using carbon for a while and there wasn’t a huge difference, but my water didn’t seem as crystal clear as it previously did.

OP Stated their using it because they haven’t gravel vacummed - ever. So they want the water to clear up afterwards, which carbon does help with.

But I would really suggest that OP gravel vacuums every other week from now on at least. All that junk will build up, turn into ammonia, overload your cycle, and become a huge pain in the behind. It’s much easier just to clean it every other week than to do one massive clean every once in a while.

Hello BR...

Clear water comes from large, frequent water changes. Anything inside the tank is going to dissolve in the water. The process is what causes the water to appear hazy. By simply removing most of the tank water and replacing it frequently, you remove the particles that cause hazy water. The added benefit is, the fish live in pure water conditions all the time.

Old

 

Hello BR...

Clear water comes from large, frequent water changes. Anything inside the tank is going to dissolve in the water. The process is what causes the water to appear hazy. By simply removing most of the tank water and replacing it frequently, you remove the particles that cause hazy water. The added benefit is, the fish live in pure water conditions all the time.

Old

Carbon is beneficial, water changes should be done regularly whether you use it or not - that’s not the issue. Carbon absorbs dissolved chlorine, tannins, and phenols (causes foul smelling water). Of course water changes can help with all of that, but carbon takes it a step further. It doesn’t stay effective for very long, but it’s cheap and easy to replace. I used it when I had driftwood that was rich in tannins. The driftwood would cause my tank to become dark brown within 2 days, and I personally do not have the time to do large water changes every 2 days - nor is that very effective when trying to conserve water. It’s not necessary, you’re correct, but it has many many benefits being used in an aquarium for clean and clear water.

 

I don't see any reason not to use carbon... Buy a bag and refillable carbon and it will cost you like $2 per month to change out the carbon.

 

I already got the carbon, and I respect the arguments on both sides. I probably won't buy more carbon in the future, and I'll most likely instead fill up my filter with more biomedia balls/foam instead.

Thanks again for the replies and answering my Q.