carbon...

[collared_drifter]

im using one of those internal whisper filters in one of my 10 gals, and i was wondering if you absolutly needed carbon to go in those pouches, cause i know the affect wears off in a couple of days....
my tank is a 10 gal, with lots of plants. only about 4 fishys

 

[swampcat]

I would say no. Carbon may even absorb some nutrients your plants need. They are real I assume? Real plants work as a filter too. I would rinse filter pads (bag) in water removed from tank during water changes and use over again to keep bacteria alive.

One problem with most cartridge filters is each time you change your cartridge you throw away all your bacteria and have too start cycle all over again.

If you ever look into replacing your filter take a look at the aquaclears by hagen they eliminate the cartridge problem. An aquaclear-mini would work well . Filter material lasts for ever too.

 

[collared_drifter]

really they last forever? i always thought you had to change it out some time or another...

 

[Lateral Line]

People sell filters which require special cartridges so that you keep going back to buy cartridges. Some of the old pads and media in my Eheims must be over 20 years old. The "throwing out your good bacteria" is also a very valid point.

Carbon can be used from time to time to mop up medications or whatever, but I never use it as a routine item. It becomes ineffective very quickly, and there are much better biological substrates to use.