Replace or clean carbon filter? Opinions Please!

Hey everybody. I have an established 10 gallon but I need opinions on the following question.

I have a hang on the back filter with that has a carbon filter and a sponge. I know not to replace the sponge but I've had my tank for about 2 months now. What should I do with the carbon filter?

I've heard of some folks dumping the carbon from their filter and leaving the floss filter without the carbon to gather the debris since carbon can be poisonous after awhile. Of course, a weekly rinse in tank water of the floss filter is required to remove some debris.

I've also have seen people say that as long as the sponge isn't replaced, the carbon filter can be replaced monthly without a significant loss of beneficial bacteria.

I want an many opinions as possible and I would love to know what you guys/gals do. Thanks!

 

I would ditch the carbon and keep the bag since your so newly cycled.A lot of folks say the carbon is not needed unless removing meds or discoloration from drift wood.

 

What filter do you have?

 

Whether or not to use carbon is a pesonal choice. If you choose to use it, then the cartridge would need to be replaced about every four weeks. Like OUTINFRONT pointed out, it is mostly useful for removing tannins and meds. Some people chose to run it all the time. I personally do not. For my tanks, I cut a hole in the cartridge, pour out the carbon, and stuff the cartridges with extra bio-media, either small pieces of bio-sponges or the little bio balls or tubes sold for canistr filters. I rinse my cartridges in tank water about once a month.

 

Hey everybody. I have an established 10 gallon but I need opinions on the following question.
hello
I have a hang on the back filter with that has a carbon filter and a sponge. I know not to replace the sponge but I've had my tank for about 2 months now. What should I do with the carbon filter?
I would leave it be until the filter is better established.
I've heard of some folks dumping the carbon from their filter and leaving the floss filter without the carbon to gather the debris since carbon can be poisonous after awhile. Of course, a weekly rinse in tank water of the floss filter is required to remove some debris.
Carbon does not turn poisonous. It loses it's effectiveness. You don't need to rinse the media weekly. If you need to, then your tank is way overstocked.
I've also have seen people say that as long as the sponge isn't replaced, the carbon filter can be replaced monthly without a significant loss of beneficial bacteria.
Yes this is true. You never want to replace/clean all the media at once, but rather one component at a time.
I want an many opinions as possible and I would love to know what you guys/gals do. Thanks!

I don't use carbon, but if you want to you can get a container of carbon and fill the filter bag with it. You might get 4 or 5 uses out of it before it starts to deteriorate. Maybe more.

 

I don't use carbon, but if you want to you can get a container of carbon and fill the filter bag with it. You might get 4 or 5 uses out of it before it starts to deteriorate. Maybe more.

As far as the poisonous part goes, its just what I've read. I'm glad you cleared that up for me!

I might consider refilling with carbon but so far it seems as if it doesn't have many uses. I greatly appreciate the input.

 

As far as the poisonous part goes, its just what I've read. I'm glad you cleared that up for me!

I might consider refilling with carbon but so far it seems as if it doesn't have many uses. I greatly appreciate the input.

I always read it starts to leach the toxins back into the aquarium after it was used up so if that is true in my opinion it can be poisonous.

 

I always read it starts to leach the toxins back into the aquarium after it was used up so if that is true in my opinion it can be poisonous.

it leaches the toxins it previously removed back into the water?? Since I don't use carbon, the "toxins" are never removed from my tanks. So if the toxins aren't poisonous pre carbon, why would they be poisonous post carbon?

 

it leaches the toxins it previously removed back into the water?? Since I don't use carbon, the "toxins" are never removed from my tanks. So if the toxins aren't poisonous pre carbon, why would they be poisonous post carbon?

You answered the question it leaches the toxins it previously removed there for they can be toxic if left in to long.The fact that your fish are fine does not mean there is no toxins in the water and if carbon removes these trace toxins then dumps them back it does not mean they are non toxic it only means they are at a level that did not harm your fish.

 

I didn't answer whether it does or doesn't. I paraphrased what you had said in the form of a question. I personally don't care one way or another, as I don't use it. I'm asking YOU if the toxins are more or less poisonous before or after going through the carbon.

I'm suggesting that if they are harmless before, they are harmless after. Since carbon works via the van der waals force, no real reaction takes place so IF anything is leached, it is no different. Because it's a weak chemical bond, it is more likely to leach than if it were a covalent bond. However, it could be 100 times more likely to leach and still only be an infinitesimal difference.

And it's Jay C

 

Hey everybody. I have an established 10 gallon but I need opinions on the following question.

I have a hang on the back filter with that has a carbon filter and a sponge. I know not to replace the sponge but I've had my tank for about 2 months now. What should I do with the carbon filter?

Remove and replace the carbon, or just remove it and replace with filter floss.

To use carbon, or not, is up to you. I don't normally use it, but always have some. If I feel like having the water extra clear, I'll through some carbon in the filter. It's amazing how even though my tanks look crystal clear, if I add some carbon, they really sparkle.

For me, very clear water is the best benefit from using it. And getting meds out of the water column if it is ever needed.

Everyone has a opinion on carbon. Mine is this. Use it if you want to, and don't mind the added expense, and changing it. If you don't want to spend the money, and don't want the added work of changing it, don't use it.

 

I didn't answer whether it does or doesn't. I paraphrased what you had said in the form of a question. I personally don't care one way or another, as I don't use it. I'm asking YOU if the toxins are more or less poisonous before or after going through the carbon.

I'm suggesting that if they are harmless before, they are harmless after. Since carbon works via the van der waals force, no real reaction takes place so IF anything is leached, it is no different. Because it's a weak chemical bond, it is more likely to leach than if it were a covalent bond. However, it could be 100 times more likely to leach and still only be an infinitesimal difference.

And it's Jay C

Harmless in the fact they did not affect your fish today or kill them.?My point is any thing they do remove is toxic rather you see the effects or not.Who is to say that a fish of yours may not live 3 years longer had you used carbon to remove that trace amount of un detected chemical over the years.The op suggested they could become toxic if not changed you stated they release toxins they have collected if not changed,the fact you don't use them has no relevance in the fact that they release the toxins they collect back into the water if not changed therefore making them toxic if not changed.

 

The op suggested they could become toxic if not changed you stated they release toxins they have collected if not changed

For the second time - I said no such thing.

What I DID say is that the "toxins" do not become more toxic and I explained HOW carbon works.

And I'd rather you not knowingly call me by the wrong name. Most would consider it an insult.

 

Well there's a lot of opinions here.. I don't mind the idea of dumping my carbon and using the leftover as a debris catcher BUT I do like my tanks to be clear.. What if I put a brand new filter in there every month (I don't mind spending a few bucks a month) but I leave the old filter without the carbon so it would fit? I could leave it there for however long it takes for the beneficial bacteria to start colonizing on the new filter.

Sounds dumb and confusing but maybe it could work.

 

You can reuse the pouch. I would suggest getting a small mesh media bag to put the carbon in (you would buy a container of carbon, versus more cartridges), to make it easier to change every month. Also some say it loses it's effectiveness much faster than that. By putting the carbon in the media bag (available for $1 at the store), you can then put that bag in the filter pouch. That will preserve the bacteria on the pouch and will prevent a mess when switching the carbon.

 

OP it releases toxins it removed back into the water from what I read.They are no more harmful then they were before they were removed but harmful non the less.And all good points JaySee so if you know these things why would not you do these things to give your fish a longer happier healthier life.?Just like removing the toxins the carbon collected before it re enters your tank,or for that matter using carbon to prevent toxins from staying in your tank.?

 

What toxins are you talking about??

 

You can reuse the pouch. I would suggest getting a small mesh media bag to put the carbon in (you would buy a container of carbon, versus more cartridges), to make it easier to change every month. Also some say it loses it's effectiveness much faster than that. By putting the carbon in the media bag (available for $1 at the store), you can then put that bag in the filter pouch. That will preserve the bacteria on the pouch and will prevent a mess when switching the carbon.

So I can just cut a whole at the top of the carbon pouch, replace the carbon and that's it?

I understand the basics of what your saying and that sounds like the best idea so far. Just to clear things up, where can I get such carbon and what do you mean by media bag available for $1 at the store? Do you mean the carbon is $1?

Thanks Jaysee

BTW, I understand you both might have had a misunderstanding but I really don't want this thread to get closed lol

 

It won't get closed

here's the carbon

That goes in the media bag. Petsmart has them but I couldn't find it on the website

And that goes in the biobag (cartridge). When you pull the bag of carbon out it will be contained and easy to dump and refill. Loose carbon in the biobag can be a pain to get out.

 

What toxins are you talking about??

Any the carbon may have filtered out.!!Still not sure how you agree that carbon releases the toxins it filtered out after it is spent..yet are arguing the fact that carbon becomes toxic and releases these toxins back into the tank once it is spent.?AND IF THAT IS NOT WHAT YOUR SAYING WHAT IS IT.?Just to quote "CARBON DOES NOT BECOME POISONOUS" Yet you go on to agree that it releases the toxins it collected after a period of time.Again the question is not if they are more or less toxic rather that they were removed and should be discarded before they have a chance to re enter the tank correct.?

 

So you don't know what's in the water or how carbon works. Why don't you study up on the matter and start your own thread and we can continue....whatever this is, rather than trying to bogard markah1's thread.

 

So you don't know what's in the water or how carbon works. Why don't you study up on the matter and start your own thread and we can continue....whatever this is, rather than trying to bogard markah1's thread.

I know enough about the product to say it becomes toxic and should be changed before it leaches back into the system,

 

It won't get closed

here's the carbon

That goes in the media bag. Petsmart has them but I couldn't find it on the website

And that goes in the biobag (cartridge). When you pull the bag of carbon out it will be contained and easy to dump and refill. Loose carbon in the biobag can be a pain to get out.

Perfect!! Hopefully they have those at Petco or even my lfs. That's a great idea!

Thanks Jaysee. That's exactly what I needed. I get to keep my biobag while using the carbon. All the info is greatly appreciated!

 

Perfect!! Hopefully they have those at Petco or even my lfs. That's a great idea!

Thanks Jaysee. That's exactly what I needed. I get to keep my biobag while using the carbon. All the info is greatly appreciated!

I'm sure they will have it. I'm glad you stuck through the interference.

 

There is no hero. Just people trying to help. I appreciate you trying to help but you are also continuing something that ended many posts ago. I appreciate everyones posts but I don't appreciate it when there is someone that is making something out of nothing.

Anyways, thanks to everyone for their input!!! I now know that having carbon doesn't really matter and that the fish will be happy with or without it but since I already have it, might as well keep it until my tank is cycled for a few more months.

 

There is no hero. Just people trying to help. I appreciate you trying to help but you are also continuing something that ended many posts ago. I appreciate everyones posts but I don't appreciate it when there is someone that is making something out of nothing.

Anyways, thanks to everyone for their input!!! I now know that having carbon doesn't really matter and that the fish will be happy with or without it but since I already have it, might as well keep it until my tank is cycled for a few more months.

I guess you are right but saying I was not trying to help or that I needed to research carbon when I clearly know it should be changed is just facts...Enjoy the forum and your tank..I use carbon as well why not remove harmful toxins if you can.

 

Good morning,

There will always be a debate as to whether or not Activated Carbon releases toxins back into the water after a certain period of time.

To end the debate here and now, it's safer to say that after 3 to 4 weeks the activated carbon begins to lose its effectiveness and should be replaced for fresh.

Let's play nice folks!

My two cents on activated carbon :

I'm a firm believer that every freshwater aquarium should use it. Granted it is a personal choice and many members only use it at certain times, if they use it all. I respect that and it's their decision.

I use it around the clock in all of my tanks, changing it out every 3 weeks. I don't feel that carbon masks any problems but removes them as long as you change it out periodically. I change mine every 3 weeks for fresh. It absorbs minerals and organic substances, helps to keep your water clear, eliminates foul odors. It will also remove medications and discoloration in the water (caused by driftwood for an example). If you're running more than 1 filter on a tank, the carbon does not have to go into every filter only 1. I have 5 filters on my 265g and I only use it in 1 of them, carbon pads in the rest. The other filters you can stuff full of good bio media. (sponges, ceramic cubes and tubes, bio balls).

I've stopped saying that the Activated Carbon (AC) leaches what it has collected back into the tank. There are people on both sides of the fence here. Instead I think it's more accurate to say the the AC looses it effectiveness after 3 to 4 weeks and it should be removed and replaced.

If your tank smells foul then I highly recommend adding it to your filter immediately. A water change would probably be a good idea too.

Ken

This thread has been heavily edited by myself. Fish Lore Rules #10:


Please be respectful of fellow members. Not everyone is going to agree on every aspect of Fish Keeping. Fish Lore Rules #1.

Markah1,

If you would be so kind, please complete your Aquarium Profile Information. This will aid others with any responses they may have.

To access the Profile, click on My Settings in the blue bar close to the top of the screen. In the drop down box, click on Edit Aquarium Info. Be sure to hit SAVE Changes at the bottom of the page when you are done.

Thanks!

Ken

 

Please keep it civil and respectful guys.

I use activated carbon. Here's a good video made by Bulk Reef Supply: