Carbon?

[cutie_dinokun]

Hello! I am wondering if i add carbon into my tank, what is it gonna do? is there advantages and disadvantages to using it? thanks!!

 

[tstenback]

Could you give some more info as to why you want to put carbon into your Tank? It is usually used to clean and remove chemicals from the water as it passes through the filter.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Carbon is what is considered chemical filtration, and removes negative dissolved elements from the water. Unfortunately it also removes positive dissolved elements. If your water is discolored (not including algae or bacterial bloom), or has an odor, then carbon can help clear it. It is also used handy to clear medications out of the water. Whether you need it regularly depends on the quality of the water where you live, but more often then not it really isn't necessary. In a typical aquarium it lasts about 2 to 3 weeks before needing replacement.

 

[cutie_dinokun]

cuz i saw filters w/carbon + a sponge; and then filters only with a sponge, so i'm wondering which type is better?

 

[tstenback]

Filters that have more than one compartment or room to hold more tha one type of media are more flexible. If it has this then you could put in 2 sponges and only clean one at a time that way your bacterial colony remains intact. If your tank gets very dirty or cloudy you may need space to put in carbon to help clear the water but if you had only one compartment or no extra space in the main compartment then you would have to take out the sponge/bio material to make room for the carbon...this sould seriously upset the tank and stress out the fish. So which ever kind you buy, buy the best you can for the money you have Do not scrimp on the filter it is the most important piece of equipment you can provide for your fish. HTH