"Activated Carbon" Filters....

[logan89]

I bought an Millinnium 2000 and a Whisper intank 20i to go in my 55gal, and they both came with an "Activated Carbon" filter, and alot of people are telling me to ditch them and retrofit a normal media filter. Why is carbon so bad?

Do I really need to change the filters?

Also, I have a "bacteria grid" for the M-2000 and a coarse sponge for the Whisper, do these need to go behind, or in front of the chemical filter? Again, some poeple say behind, some people say infront, the box says infront, but I dont see how beneficial bactera could build on the sponge after its been carbon filtered.

Thanks,

-Logan

 

[WILDER]

You only need to use carbon to remove meds, you have to replace them every six weeks as the toxins will release back into the tank, your just wasting your money otherwise, best to put another filter sponge in it's place instead,

 

[qwikimpss]

Carbon is only good for so long. After a while it will leech the stuff back on the water you tried to remove! But, I use it as a bio-medium. I take old carbon that has soaked for 6-8 weeks and put it in the auxillary bins on my large HOB filters I use (smaller HOBs dont have these).

 

[fish_keeper2]

while were on the topic i have a question....all the filters i own r deigned to use disposable filter media pads that consist of a piece of plasctic wraped in a mesh faberic(SP) thing with carbon inside. the directions say to replace the pad every 4-6. i never thought about it before but i fear this actually puts my tanks into a mini cycle. is there anything i can do to prevent this besides buying new filters that dont use these.


http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...D=1122684942081

these r the type i use

 

[qwikimpss]

It could put your tank into a mini-cycle, probably not, a lot of beni-bac live on about every surface of your tank so you wouldnt take that much out of your tank. Thats why I reccomend HOBs with the bio-wheels.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I don't think carbon is useless, if it takes out meds it will take out other stuff too, therefore it would keep your ammonia levels lower in theory, correct? I've always used it, and I rarely have problems with my tanks, including missing water changes. And if you think about it, yes, carbon has a point of holding that it can't go ever, but tanks without it have more chemicals in them than tanks with it.

I personally don't care what people say, I've used it, it's worked for me, and it's hardly that expensive, so why not?

 

[simonbrown403]

Carbon has two uses..... 1 removing meds....... 2 making lazy peoples lifes easyer.

Look after your tank right and its its not needed

 

[freddyk]

First off, I'd really like to see where this carbon theory - that it releases back into the water - came from, this is the only place I've ever heard this one.
Can anyone give any experiences? Just wondering because I've found it just becomes inert and another healthy breeding ground for bacteria.

Anyway, for the carbon

The benefits: It will absorb impurities in less then ideal water, including medication. Works for clearing colored water and dealing with odours.

The drawbacks: Carbon takes out dissolved elements from the water, but it can't pick and choose the good ones and the bad ones - they actually end up absorbing some nutrients.

In the end it's another consumable that isn't necessary, but might be helpful to some. Those of us fortunate to have clean tap water would be waste our money, and probably do more harm then good. Others might have no choice, though if your tank smells funny and tap water doesn't ,then it's better to nail it at the source then just cover it up with carbon, and cheaper too.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I don't think it leaks chemicals out, it just can't hold anymore so they just go right back into the tank.

 

[simonbrown403]

A particle of activated carbon is made up of mostly air...... It has thousands of tiny holes through which water can circulate...... When water carries an organic molecule, a contaminant through the narrow passages a short range attractive force between the molecule and the carbon will carse the molecule to sticks (physical adsorption).

Carbon is known to release a small amount of phosphate back into the water, but after that, it like a sponge it can only absorb so much, then it becomes little more than bio medium.

 

[Slyspy]

A particle of activated carbon is made up of mostly air...... It has thousands of tiny holes through which water can circulate...... When water carries an organic molecule, a contaminant  through the narrow passages a short range attractive force between the molecule and the carbon will carse the molecule to sticks (physical adsorption).

Carbon is known to release a small amount of phosphate back into the water, but after that, it like a sponge it can only absorb so much, then it becomes little more than bio medium.

[snapback]857201[/snapback]​

Well there you are. By your own words its effective both as chemical and afterwards biological filtration. Why the hell then accuse those who use it of being lazy? Hardly the friendliest forums around if people bandy ill-informed comments around!

I had a carbon insert in my filter when it was new. The water quality and appearance remained the same for six months (with regular water changes). Then I snipped the carbon insert open, emptied the no-doubt saturated carbon out and replaced it with ceramic rings. This has given me a large biological filter and cut out the risks of a leeching (although to be honest I have never seen scientific evidence of this happening).

 

[Soaup]

Wow he is gonna not know whether or whether not to support carbon filters by this thread. I like carbon filters they do have there uses and agreeing with freddy i have never seen anywhere besides here that carbon filters are good for nothing and a waste of money, they are cheap enough that its not about the money and they must be doing some good in the tank, as long as you stay on track with cleaning and changing the filter componants your fine.

 

[simonbrown403]

Sorry! ) this carbon thing has me anoyed, i,m being pestered by a couple who are compleat idiot, they have killed just about every fish they have ever owned.... they seam to think carbon is some type of miricle cure all, that is a subitute for water changes and indead propper practise,

I think the hole carbon thing is misleading to beginners, as theres many diferent types carbon around, some compleatly usless, any good lfs will only sell the the better stuff.

Beginers are led to belive that carbon is an esencal part of a healty aquarium, when quite often its just masks problems.
Peoples lack of maintance and faith in carbon results in a build up of harmfull substances, which can shorten the its life.
Once it has absorbed all that it can, thats it it becones little more than bio medium.
Now lets be honest out of all the aquaiumista in the world how many test regular, i never use to in the begining, and have read counless posts of people that have never tested at all.
This is all well and good if they look after there tanks as they should.
But for people thet dont the levels of harmfull substances are free to build up, to dangerus levels.
In between water changes, this will carse swings in water qualty, which in turn stresses fish and increases the chances of disease.

As said above carbon is a good tool if used properly.

 

[morgan]

I use carbon because it came with the other sponges when I bought the tank. Figure the manufacturer's are more informed than me so I still use it. Never had water quality problems or discolouration except when I added some mopani wood which I had soaked. The water went a bit yellow for a few days then it was crystal clear, as ever!

 

[logan89]

Ok, thanks for all the info guys. Apart from a couple of you, you guys think carbon is ok to use?


I mean the filters are fairly cheap, and so far effective. So as long as I keep up 30-50% bi-weekly water changes and change my filters when needed, there is NO harm or loss whatsoever to my fish is there?

I remeber someone mentioning it sucks out some both good and bad chemicals?
Like what? I mean, will it suck up my water additives (stress coat, etc.)? I mean I can switch over to a better filter if I really should, or NEED to...but if I don't i'll just stick with the carbon.

This thread has kinda got my head turning on the subject, I dunno what to think.



-Logan