Active Carbon Is It Worth It

[Royston]

Just fitted my new all ponds solutions EF+ 2000 to my tank........... Big ol beast
Is it worth using the carbon that came with it.. I already have a two and half foot sump filter filled with foams and K1

 

[CezzaXV]

Active carbon is good for removing medications and impurities from the water, but you would generally have it in your filter for a few days then remove it, else it becomes saturated then just starts leeching back out again. Eventually it just becomes plain old carbon.

If I were you I'd fill it with your filter media of choice and forget the carbon. Keep it, as it may come in useful if you ever have to medicate your tank, but I wouldn't use it day to day in your tank.

 

[Chad]

I'm of the opinion that it is worth it for certain tanks. It helps to clarify the water which is good for tanks that have light requirements and it removes impurities which is good for tanks with toxic things like many reef tanks. The only problem with carbon as I have discovered is once you start using it, plan on keeping it up because stopping changes the tank and can cause many issues. Certain types of carbon also contribute to head and lateral line disease. Much of this isn't an issue except in marine and reef tanks though.

 

[Mikey1]

not needed at all.....unless you are trying to remove medications that you have treated your tank with....
 
i have not used carbon in any of my 20+ tanks in over 15 years

 

[Chad]

Here's an interesting video on the subject of carbon and GFO. I don't know if it really answers your question but you will know all about carbon types after watching it.
 
http/youtu.be/9NR4u97Hqm8

 

[SLIM]

Iv never used carbon. Not needed imo

 

[Royston]

Thanx .... Think I will replace it with coarse foam

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Keep the carbon though, for when you may need it to remove meds in the future...

 

[Chad]

It removes tannins too.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yeah, it does...

   I like the tannins!

 

[Chad]

So funny! Many people do of course depending on the tank you want to keep...excellent point.