Do you or do you not use carbon POLL attempt#2 lol

I wonder if you bake it with chocolate chip cookies if it will pass on to the fish... that would be a treat....just joking....I vote yes.....I know the basics about plants in the aquarium...never had much with cichlids...but I really could see carbon removing stuff that is beneficial to plants...so many interesting comments....I have to say I never heard about baking it...we boil rocks...we cook driftwood....now we baked carbon.....honey IAM HOME what's for dinner.....

Is now considering eating the last cookie in the house. Nutella probably works best.

 

I've lurked on other forums, and one forum just for planted tanks. It seems like the consensus is that a lot of people say carbon can remove some trace elements beneficial to plants, but not enough to have any negative affects on plants.
The only true way to know, is to have two exact tanks set up the exact same way, and do a study on the outcome. Even then I believe there will be variables between the two tanks.
Again, as I, and others have stated, it's a personal choice, and there is no right or wrong. It's up to each individual to do what they wish.

 

I've lurked on other forums, and one forum just for planted tanks. It seems like the consensus is that a lot of people say carbon can remove some trace elements beneficial to plants, but not enough to have any negative affects on plants.
The only true way to know, is to have two exact tanks set up the exact same way, and do a study on the outcome. Even then I believe there will be variables between the two tanks.
Again, as I, and others have stated, it's a personal choice, and there is no right or wrong. It's up to each individual to do what they wish.

Lots of carbon in those tanks filters.

 

Opps, the same picture 2 times!

 

Lots of carbon in those tanks filters.

Beautiful tanks @!!

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I don't use carbon in my Marine land penguin 200b that I have running but I'm about to get a canister filter and I'm going to run carbon in the canister filter.

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Lots of carbon in those tanks filters.

Proof!!

 

Don't know why you received criticism. Carbon is not needed in an aquarium whatsoever. I'll add that carbon only remains active for 1-2 weeks before it absorbs all it can and then just acts as extra biomedia.

Carbon is a tool, not a necessity.

 

Don't know why you received criticism. Carbon is not needed in an aquarium whatsoever. I'll add that carbon only remains active for 1-2 weeks before it absorbs all it can and then just acts as extra biomedia.

Carbon is a tool, not a necessity.

So in the worst case you have extra bio media!

 

Yes that is true..the worst case

 

I do not. But I always have it handy for when I have a medical emergency.

 

The worst case is you have extra biomedia...but keep in mind that if you do have good quality water....ur carbon will last longer...the bottom line is I do not need to have filters or experiment that is raided above my suggested tank...I do not need to have carbon...I don't not need to do weekly water changes..having cichlids I do not need to add buffers or salt to my aquarium...but these are tools that help me have a happy ...disease..parasites free healthy tank....its sad but as a lot of us know..simple weekly or more water changes can afford SO many of the sickness and promblems we read about everyday...think about why a fish gets pop eye or why fish are more likely to NOT fight off infections...including the most common thing as ick...because the overall health of a fish is weak...their immune systems are running low...so why not use PEANUT BUTTER in ur tank ?...wait wait no no no...not peanut butter...CARBON...smiles....

 

I don't use carbon in my 406, all four trays are filled with biomedia which keeps my water very clear and odour-free! I believe it's not a necessity, but can be useful at times e.g. medication, removing nasties which may have gotten into the water..etc...

 

I agree with you fatcatfish...to some degree...really I do

For the record I use number 3 whisper hang on fliters or something similar like aqueon 75 dual hang on fliters...there is no way in that I would use carbon in a canister filter...they are great fliters like the 406...but I won't even use them because of the inconvenience to me having so many tanks...just like I will not use hang on fliters with all my small tanks....I would need 100 outlets. That's why I have one air pump and use sponge fliters..so we have to take that into consideration also....

 

the bottom line is I do not need to have filters or experiment that is raided above my suggested tank...I do not need to have carbon...I don't not need to do weekly water changes..having cichlids I do not need to add buffers or salt to my aquarium...

I wouldn't put weekly water changes on the same level as using, or not using, carbon. In my opinion that is much more of a necessity than carbon. Otherwise I'm with ya!! There are a lot of things that aren't absolutely necessary. And its all about personal choice! No one is right or wrong! And that was the point of this thread. I was just genuinely curious to see how common the use of carbon is. Especially since I choose not to use it. This has been a very informational thread. I'm glad I started it!

Thanks for the input everyone. I will leave the vote going for a little while longer

 

Great thread....very enjoyable..and water changes TRUMP everything...compared to be carbon....now start a thread about water changes....lol

 

Great thread....very enjoyable..and water changes TRUMP everything...compared to be carbon....now start a thread about water changes....lol

Ehhh..... water changes cure problems. ... my answer on that thread would be short.

I do 2 water changes a YEAR......because I use carbon. I reactivate the carbon every 90 days.

 

Two water changes per year?? Just because you are using carbon? I am baffled how that can work for your fish...but apparently it does since you feel pretty strongly about not using dechlorinator because you are using carbon and also not doing water changes because you are using carbon.......

To each his own...but I really hope no newbies read that and think it is ok to only change water twice per year if they are using carbon....is there something else you are doing to keep the water healthy for the fish? because carbon does not remove ammonia and nitrites....or does it?

you said "water changes cure problems" but.....problems wouldn't arise as easily if water changes were done regularly....why wait for there to be a problem first?

 

I agree with most of your statements, carbon is a luxury and the fish can live without it, But so are a lot of other things we use and can live without! If you can use it, and it does no harm, and probably good (depending who you talk to) Why not use it. A little carbon doesn't go a long way, but a lot of carbon does. My biggest tank holds 28 pounds of carbon, and I change it every 8 to 10 weeks, At about 10 weeks the tank loses that blue look, and it's time to change the carbon. I plan on putting another 25 to 40 fish in, and I know that the fish well stay happy and keep breeding. So I agree you don't have to use carbon, but why not?

 

Ehhh..... water changes cure problems. ... my answer on that thread would be short.

I do 2 water changes a YEAR......because I use carbon. I reactivate the carbon every 90 days.

Water evaporates and leaves behind all trace elements, how do you deal with reductions in water level due to evaporation and excess in minerals?

 

Wow...JUST WOW...forget about carbon !...NO MATTER HOW MUCH ur water is being filtered...YOU MUST DO WATER CHANGES....PERIOD...twice a month is a long time....let alone twice a year....this could confused someone in a bad way....I agree with the comment above....that if a newbie seen this...it would be horrible....carbon......buffers.....salt...etc is not necessary....BUT WATER CHANGES ARE A MUST !

 

Water evaporates and leaves behind all trace elements, how do you deal with reductions in water level due to evaporation and excess in minerals?

I change the carbon every 8 to 10 weeks. I change 50% of the water every 2 weeks. I use RO water to top the tank off as needed. Sorry for the miss understanding.

 

I change the carbon every 8 to 10 weeks. I change 50% of the water every 2 weeks. I use RO water to top the tank off as needed. Sorry for the miss understanding.

Rivieraneo was talking to soldier...the one who said he does just two water changes per year.....

as for changing carbon every 8-10 week....that means a majority of the time you are using it, it is only for housing BB. Right?

 

That is true....that it will be use as B.B. after that amount of time...

 

That is true....that it will be use as B.B. after that amount of time...

well then....if we want to be technical here.... fissh is technically NOT using carbon regularly. It is being used for a couple weeks until it expires and then it is NOT used for another 6-8 weeks until it is replaced. Am I right? Because I have read over and over again that carbon only lasts a couple weeks....

You better change your vote fissh ! HAHA I am totally teasing!! Big smile!!!

 

Ok.....I love it...ur right though...its fun to jest...or argue in fun...this is a crazy thread... having so much fun....my next thread was going to be save the whales....but after reading some of ur comments its going to be...........SAVE THE CARBON...laughing

 

LONG LIVE THE CARBON..all bow down and worship the carbon ..lol lol lol ...

 

Ok......I love it...ur right though...its fun to jest...or argue in fun...this is a crazy thread... having so much fun....my next thread was going to be save the whales....but after reading some of ur comments its going to be...........SAVE THE CARBON...laughing

It's totally fun!!!....as long as people don't get defensive and angry and rude!! This is all in good fun guys! Remember that!!! FUN FUN FUN!!!!! FUUUNNNN!!!!!

 

It's totally fun!!!....as long as people don't get defensive and angry and rude!! This is all in good fun guys! Remember that!!! FUN FUN FUN!!!!! FUUUNNNN!!!!!

This is a real question, how long do you think it will take my tank to use up 28 pounds of carbon? I really am wondering?
Thanks, Harry

 

This is a real question, how long do you think it will take my tank to use up 28 pounds of carbon? I really am wondering?
Thanks, Harry

How much do you use at a time? Divide 28 by that amount. And then multiply that by 9 (averaging a change every 9 weeks) that should give you how many weeks it will last.

Hahaha just playin!

 

Ok I VOTE for carbon...and on the same ticket...I vote for FUN FUN FUN...

 

We're having fun know!

 

Were all about fun, but please make your posts subject related. If not, I think this thread has run its course and will be closed.

 

Were all about fun, but please make your posts subject related. If not, I think this thread has run its course and will be closed.

OK, how long do you think 28 pounds of carbon would stay active in a 360 tank? And how can you figure this out?

 

OK, how long do you think 28 pounds of carbon would stay active in a 360 tank? And how can you figure this out?

If you are talking about using it all at one time....I don't think the amount you use would make it last any longer....

 

If you are talking about using it all at one time....I don't think the amount you use would make it last any longer....

Every tank is different, have different maintenance cycles, organic compounds, water chemistry, so any estimate is more of an educated guess.

 

Every tank is different, have different maintenance cycles, organic compounds, water chemistry, so any estimate is more of an educated guess.

Thanks.

 

I agree with most of your statements, carbon is a luxury and the fish can live without it, But so are a lot of other things we use and can live without! If you can use it, and it does no harm, and probably good (depending who you talk to) Why not use it. A little carbon doesn't go a long way, but a lot of carbon does. My biggest tank holds 28 pounds of carbon, and I change it every 8 to 10 weeks, At about 10 weeks the tank loses that blue look, and it's time to change the carbon. I plan on putting another 25 to 40 fish in, and I know that the fish well stay happy and keep breeding. So I agree you don't have to use carbon, but why not?

Yup that's pretty much where I am at in this discussion. As far as I can tell carbon won't hurt anything so it's fine to use if you want to on a regular basis. It's also okay not to use it on a regular basis.

As I have said before I'm just a big fan of tannis for my fish and tanks, so that's why I don't use carbon 24/7. I know there are plenty of people who dislike tannis lol.

 

I personally don't use carbon on any of my tanks. I used to but then set up a 55 gallon heavily planted tank and was worried the carbon would remove my ferts so I quit. After a while I noticed no difference in smell or water clarity between my tanks and so I don't bother with any of them anymore.

 

Just to contradict the "NO" vote I registered this morning, this afternoon I added a bag of carbon to one of my tanks! The reason? My "bad foot odour" that my roommate kept complaining about turned out to be coming from one of my tanks. I only just figured it out. It's too full of plants and snails plus I added some fish by way of quarantine and in spite of large water changes twice a week I apparently am not doing a good enough job. Parameters are no concern but it still smells. So, carbon it is! And just to be clear, it's NOT MY FEET!

 

I switch my vote to NO CARBON now....too funny...ok what's next...we got this carbon thing down...do we switch to water change....how much...how often on this thread or start I new one...?