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Such thing as too much activated carbon?

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landonjacob

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Is there such thing as using too much activated carbonor Purigen for a 15 gallon freshwater nano setup? Right now I use a medium size bag along with the normal sized pouch of Purigen in the filter sock. Along with other media. Is there such thing as using too much of these two in a small setup or in general? I’ve included a size of the carbon pouch I’m using. Any help or advice would be appreciated!
 

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what are you trying to absorb out of the tank???
 
You don't need carbon in a filter unless there are toxic chemicals or heavy metals in your water supply. And if that is the case, you should filter the water through carbon before using it in an aquarium or drinking it.

As for your question, you can have as much or as little carbon in a filter as you like.
 
Carbon doesn't do anything that regular water changes don't do. Much less actually. When I get a new filter, I always throw the carbon insert in the garbage. You can just replace it with another layer of mechanical or biological filtration (which don't need to be replaced every few months). If your filter has a cartridge holder, you can cut a piece of foam to size.
 
I keep carbon inserts in case I have to remove medications at some point.

Carbon in filters are a relic from the no water change era of fishkeeping. Back then, tanks could smell very bad. People didn't like the swampy smell of a room with a tank. If you are into the online father fish group, you will probably know that smell, but thankfully that return to past mistakes hasn't really caught on. I can remember as a kid knowing if people had an aquarium as soon as I entered their home, which is impressive given how everything smelled of stale tobacco smoke back then.

The aquarium business needs to sell things to make money, and filters became too efficient at one point. You'd buy an AquaClear with its sponges and never need new media. And so, carbon inserts and cartridges that need to be replaced were invented - not for efficiency but for profitability. Carbon and purigen are in that class of goods.

So my answer? Any carbon is too much, unless you've had an ich outbreak and want to get the medicinal dyes out.
 
GaryE said:
I keep carbon inserts in case I have to remove medications at some point.

Carbon in filters are a relic from the no water change era of fishkeeping. Back then, tanks could smell very bad. People didn't like the swampy smell of a room with a tank. If you are into the online father fish group, you will probably know that smell, but thankfully that return to past mistakes hasn't really caught on. I can remember as a kid knowing if people had an aquarium as soon as I entered their home, which is impressive given how everything smelled of stale tobacco smoke back then.

The aquarium business needs to sell things to make money, and filters became too efficient at one point. You'd buy an AquaClear with its sponges and never need new media. And so, carbon inserts and cartridges that need to be replaced were invented - not for efficiency but for profitability. Carbon and purigen are in that class of goods.

So my answer? Any carbon is too much, unless you've had an ich outbreak and want to get the medicinal dyes out.
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I don't use it myself because I like having tannins in my aquarium. But can't you rinse Purigen off and use it again?
 
Magnum Man said:
what are you trying to absorb out of the tank???
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Just any contaminates. I’m ocd and had a massive die off about a month ago and I’ve been letting the tank clear out. I’ve done two 100% wager changes since. Water test are normal. My shrimp seem to be doing well I added this week. I’m think about adding a few test fish soon. I have one pearls the mtstery snail that’s alive but hasn’t moved since the first day I got him. I figured it had to be something. It started with adding neon tetras and within two days everything even my betta was dead. I’ve also always head carbon and puritan in larger setups: I’m just curious is there’s such thing as too much.
 

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sharkweek178 said:
I don't use it myself because I like having tannins in my aquarium. But can't you rinse Purigen off and use it again?
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Yes. And you can recharge it also to reuse it a few times. I’ve always used it 24/7 seven in large setups for precautionary manners and was hoping these are safe doses for a 15 gallon aquariums as well.
 
GaryE said:
I keep carbon inserts in case I have to remove medications at some point.

Carbon in filters are a relic from the no water change era of fishkeeping. Back then, tanks could smell very bad. People didn't like the swampy smell of a room with a tank. If you are into the online father fish group, you will probably know that smell, but thankfully that return to past mistakes hasn't really caught on. I can remember as a kid knowing if people had an aquarium as soon as I entered their home, which is impressive given how everything smelled of stale tobacco smoke back then.

The aquarium business needs to sell things to make money, and filters became too efficient at one point. You'd buy an AquaClear with its sponges and never need new media. And so, carbon inserts and cartridges that need to be replaced were invented - not for efficiency but for profitability. Carbon and purigen are in that class of goods.

So my answer? Any carbon is too much, unless you've had an ich outbreak and want to get the medicinal dyes out.
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I grew up using it 24/7 my whole life as all the fish stores told me to do. I was just worried it being too much for the small setup. But I guess it’ll be fine. Do you know of any harm or damage it could cause to the fish or water quality using daily?
 
I don't think anyone knows the answer to your question; I certainly don't how much is too much. If you want to use it, why not do a percentage of the amount you used in your larger tanks if you are happy with the results? That is probably a good place to start if you really think there is a need to use it.
 
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