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

Carbon in all my tanks. Always have for the last 35 years or so.

 

I use carbon when adding a new filter and in QT after meds. Other than that, the cartridges get cleaned in tank water for months so the carbon is long gone by then.
I do not use carbon in my canisters.

 

I only use carbon after medicating, which has been rare for me, since my fish like to cooperate and not get sick. The rest of the time, it's basically just a completely useless waste of money every month and does nothing important for your water, and can even remove desirable things from it. Unless you really want to get rid of tannins, which I definitely don't (I don't like the sterile, unnatural look of ultra clear water.) Even then, patience and water changes get the job done too.

 

Well if I didn't live in drought stricken California, I'd do more water changes. But I would still use carbon. As far as overstocked tanks, I really think that's a matter of opinion. And sites like Aqua adviser aren't as great as some people think they are! Most of the stocking levels they recommend are very boring. I do a half water change on this tank every 2 to 3 weeks, the tank population is up to 175 fish, and this picture is the end of the tank, the fish toward the back are 8 feet away! This tank has 5 gallons of bio balls, 20 pounds of ceramic rings and 28 pounds of carbon. They eat handfuls of food, and the water stays clear, and the fish won't stop breeding. My opinion is a lot of this has to do with carbon.

lol California... I'm in the same situation and already gotten a warning about water usage, the letter said that the next time I go above the recommended amount, I will get a $500 fine

 

And to stay on topic, I use carbon for odors

 

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 think there's quite a few misconceptions about what carbon is or is not, what it does and doesn't do, what it's intended purpose is and how to use it properly.

If it's used properly and in the proper forms, you get a much different result.

Just dropping activated carbon (the black stuff) in your filters isn't going to do much.

So yes, if that's all everyone is doing, you're doing it wrong.... it's a waste of time and money. And all the nay sayers would be correct.

I built my own, 5 stage filtration system.
1st stage- debris ,solid waste filter
2nd stage- biomedia (nitrogen compounds filter)
3rd stage- activated carbon filter (chemical, toxins and dissolved organics filtration ) <the purpose of activated carbon
4th stage- carbon reactor for anaerobic bacteria
5th stage- oxygen/ carbonic acid reactor for ph balance

There ya go... with the right balance, using carbon correctly and in the proper forms, for their intended purpose, I do not need to do water changes,except twice a year.

The only other place you're going to see this type of filtration, is in a waste water treatment facility, except on a massive scale..... which is precisely what you're doing in an aquarium, managing waste water to maintain a healthy environment for the inhabitants. ....

You could drink the water that is in my aquariums.

 

I think there's quite a few misconceptions about what carbon is or is not, what it does and doesn't do, what it's intended purpose is and how to use it properly.

If it's used properly and in the proper forms, you get a much different result.

Just dropping activated carbon (the black stuff) in your filters isn't going to do much.

So yes, if that's all everyone is doing, you're doing it wrong.... it's a waste of time and money. And all the nay sayers would be correct.

I built my own, 5 stage filtration system.
1st stage- debris ,solid waste filter
2nd stage- biomedia (nitrogen compounds filter)
3rd stage- activated carbon filter (chemical, toxins and dissolved organics filtration ) <the purpose of activated carbon
4th stage- carbon reactor for anaerobic bacteria
5th stage- oxygen/ carbonic acid reactor for ph balance

There ya go... with the right balance, using carbon correctly and in the proper forms, for their intended purpose, I do not need to do water changes,except twice a year.

The only other place you're going to see this type of filtration, is in a waste water treatment facility, except on a massive scale..... which is precisely what you're doing in an aquarium, managing waste water to maintain a healthy environment for the inhabitants. ....

You could drink the water that is in my aquariums.

Where do you get this carbon reactor from? I'm interested

 

Do you add salts and minerals back to the water that are used up or otherwise removed by the biological processes and filtration?

 

Where do you get this carbon reactor from? I'm interested

I built it...

Do you add salts and minerals back to the water that are used up or otherwise removed by the biological processes and filtration?

every time I need to add water from evaporation loss, it's putting trace elements and minerals back into the system.

That's why I have to do 2 water changes every year. To remove the excess mineral build up,that's not used up in the processes.

I'm currently working on a system to try and equalize that too. It took me 5 yrs, to get the current balanced system.

It's an ongoing process ....

 

I built it...

every time I need to add water from evaporation loss, it's putting trace elements and minerals back into the system.

That's why I have to do 2 water changes every year. To remove the excess mineral build up,that's not used up in the processes.

I'm currently working on a system to try and equalize that too. It took me 5 yrs, to get the current balanced system.

It's an ongoing process ....

Could have just done a Walstad tank. Same (or better) results with less time, money, and work invested. Plus, you don't have to worry about having an expensive, high maintenance filtration system breaking down, killing your fish.

 

Could have just done a Walstad tank. Same (or better) results with less time, money, and work invested. Plus, you don't have to worry about having an expensive, high maintenance filtration system breaking down, killing your fish.

Kind of, wasn't the point....

See, we're talking about a Walstad tank.... 10 yrs from now, I want you talking about MY tank systems.....

I don't normally do what's already been done, or what everybody else does...

Where's the fun in THAT?!?!

 

Kind of, wasn't the point....

See, we're talking about a Walstad tank.... 10 yrs from now, I want you talking about MY tank systems.....

I don't normally do what's already been done, or what everybody else does...

Where's the fun in THAT?!?!

I like the way you think lol, definitely on to something with that mentality, best of luck on that!

 

Kind of, wasn't the point....

See, we're talking about a Walstad tank.... 10 yrs from now, I want you talking about MY tank systems.....

I don't normally do what's already been done, or what everybody else does...

Where's the fun in THAT?!?!

Fair enough. The more options, the better.

 

I built it...

every time I need to add water from evaporation loss, it's putting trace elements and minerals back into the system.

That's why I have to do 2 water changes every year. To remove the excess mineral build up,that's not used up in the processes.

I'm currently working on a system to try and equalize that too. It took me 5 yrs, to get the current balanced system.

It's an ongoing process ....

Not all salts and minerals are used by the nitrifying bacteria/life, I'm not surprised that there is a buildup of unused dissolved substances!

 

This Thread is simply about whether or not you "drop activated carbon in your filter". Perhaps this conversation should be taken to the "advanced freshwater aquarium forum"! That would be a much more appropriate section. Thanks!

 

To get off topic, what does your weekly water change look like?
Not the full maintenance week, but the in between weekly.

 

This Thread is simply about whether or not you "drop activated carbon in your filter". Perhaps this conversation should be taken to the "advanced freshwater aquarium forum"! That would be a much more appropriate section. Thanks!

Hmmmm...... I thought that's why you invited me to this thread....

"If you want to discuss it more, join my poll thread about carbon" <----

Wow...ok......ok....

 

Hmmmm...... I thought that's why you invited me to this thread....

"If you want to discuss it more, join my poll thread about carbon" <----

Wow...ok......ok....

I don't want you to use this thread to continue to justify doing two water changes a year. That is way more advanced than what most people are doing which is why I feel you should bring it to the advanced section of the forum!!! This is getting way beyond just simply using carbon or not!!

Stop being a smart alec!!! I'm really sick and tired of it! Maybe instead of being so cocky and full of yourself, you should step back and realize that MAYBE that was a a bit of compliment by telling you to take it to the more advanced section! Hmmmmmm!!!! Obviously I feel you're more advanced than myself!!! Soooo....move on soldier!!!!

 

Iam very curious to know if we have a thread like this...with many people following..why can't we get off the subject for a bit....really...not to sound rude...but if we all exhausted what had to be said..why are so many people so protected of their thread...I could see if you fish or fishies were very sick or there was a problem that needed to get advice and corrected now...but changing the subject a little..but staying on the topic....I can't see that being a major deal..and I want to hear everyone's imput if their a novice...some experience or a expert....I really don't think people say iam going to hijack this conversation...for the record I did myself accidentally before...but when someone says starts their own thread...well maybe they won't have so many people following...I don't think that the guy had intentions to lead people the wrong way with only doing water changes twice every two years....he did..no doubt...but he explained his complex systems later....and we on the thread should inform novice about doing water changes every week...but if we can learn something and PROTECT yes I said protect novice from making mistakes about thinking water changes are ok twice a year...why not listen....WATER CHANGES ARE NOT OK TWICE A YEAR...I enjoy ur thread...and apologize if I offended you or anyone else....but if we are talking about water...we are talking about filters...and carbon...and the food that we feed our fish...and when to use carbon or not at all....my point is...water.. filters...food..carbon..water changes...etc...all go together...so how can we just stay on carbon...I know its a poll...but in a gentleman.s way...should I just have said...my vote yes..done...ya know...if iam a novice I want to know why I should or not use carbon and I want to hear the reasons with and make my own decisions....my goal is not to disrespect anyone...thread started or those who are following....my goal is to learn and try to educate others....ya know...once again iam sorry...maybe iam just ergorant in the true meaning of the word....art of not knowing...but I can't see any thing major...by listening to others opinion..please tell me how you guy feels....iam not picking on anyone...or trying to cause a fight..but when you respond make sure the word.. carbon...... is in ur sentence...joking...joking..just teasing.

 

justmerich I'm not sure what that was all about... my statement was not directed at you. You have not been rude in any way.

There was a mod on here yesterday saying that this was getting too off topic so don't act like this is all me. I was trying to prevent this thread from being closed like that mod said that they would do!!!!!! So essentially I was trying to prevent this conversation from being ended!

But then when we start talking about walstad tanks and crazy diy filter systems and 2 water changes a year, I felt it was getting a bit too advanced for what this thread was meant to be. And I guarantee you if it would have continued on a moderator would have closed this thread!

 

Question (for future reference..): Is it a violation of Fish Lore forum rules to wander off topic within a thread?

 

Question (for future reference..): Is it a violation of Fish Lore forum rules to wander off topic within a thread?

I don't think it is an official rule. But the mods like to keep things organized. And depending on the thread location or the topic of the thread, they don't want them getting too off topic....

It's a case-by-case thing I'm sure.

As I said before, I was trying to prevent this thread from being closed as a moderator had already put a warning on it!

 

Hello all!

Thread has been closed. If you want to continue to participate in the threads original purpose, the poll remains open. Thanks.