Carbon

[Jediagh]

Did a search on all the forums on carbon and came up blank or with the keyword "carbon" but in context of other topics.

In ay case, when I set up my 10 gal tank (2 months ago) I added 2 filters. One filter (filter #1) had a basic filter bag which you can add carbon into it. The other filter (filter #2) is a 3 stage filter (bottom stage is a filter, 2nd stage is a carbon bag, and 3rd stage are some sort of white rocks). In any case today when I did my weekly water change and took each of my filters out to clean them in the water I took out to remove any type of stuff on it I noticed that the filter #1 seemed to be empty on the carbon!

Does carbon disappear over time? If so how come in filter #2 this has not happen?
Do I need to add more carbon? From what I got from my LFS carbon helps reduce odors in the tank? My 10 gal has a ton of plants in it now. I started off with one aqua fern and it has given me tons of baby plants so that I now have 4 fully grown aqua plants and 3 baby ones. In addtition I have a potted plant and 4 grass type plants.

I read that as long as the tank has an earthy smell all is well? The smell in my tank has been the same from day 1? It's earthy sort of? In any case not sure if I should go and buy more carbon or just leave it the way it is?

Oh my parameters are
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
NitRATE: 10

I have 2 corry catfish and soon (within 48 hours) another 2 corry catfish in there as well.

Thanks

 

[rvm]

Carbon shouldn't disappear, but it will lose it's effectiveness over time and require replacing.
You don't have to have carbon in your filters. I only ever use carbon if I have a reason such as removing meds. Other than that, I don't have any carbon on any of my tanks!!!
Your water parameters are fine, so I would say ditch the carbon in favour of some standard filter floss, you'll love how clean your water will be!!!

 

[Da_Oz]

Carbon helps in alot of ways, like removing ammo, plus the odar thing. But in planted tanks you don't need it. I have never used it in my planted tanks. And the white rocks could have been ammo chips they are good for cycleing time.

 

[Rybka]

I usually only use carbon to get rid of meds or during spikes. However occasionally i just put it in for the sake of putting it in... very occasionally though. I don't find its very useful besides getting rid of meds...

Also only good quality carbon is very effective, cheap stuff isn't good at all. The problem with carbon is that it runs out of steam so to speak...you would need to change it probably once a week possibly a fortnight. Simply filter wool is very effecting and houses that good bacteria also...and is cheaper.

 

[Angry_Platy]

I have never used carbon in my filters....why?

When carbon has absorbed as much of the nasties out of the water as possible, i.e., it becomes saturated, it will beging releasing them back into the water heance mixing all the chemicals you have used in the tank and pouring them back in effectively....

Food for thought

 

[Jediagh]

Thanks all!

Oh by the way I looked at the info for the 3-stage filter that I have and the "white rocks" are indeed "ammonia chips".

From the AquaClear package:

Stage 3: Biological
New! BioMax Insert
Increases biological efficiency by 30%! Expands biological capacity of aquariums. Provides optional living conditions for beneficial bacteria.

Well I guess I'll use the carbon on the 2.5 gal as I recenlty had to add some medication for the Beta and his pop-eye. And no matter how many water changes I have done the water in that tank still smells like medicine! So I'll see if the carbon helps.

As for the 10 Gal tank, should I remove the carbon that is in the filter #1 (the one where you can add carbon to it?)

Thanks all

 

[Rybka]

Yeah i would...just use filter wool

 

[Kittycat]

I have never used carbon in my filters....why?

When carbon has absorbed as much of the nasties out of the water as possible, i.e., it becomes saturated, it will beging releasing them back into the water heance mixing all the chemicals you have used in the tank and pouring them back in effectively....

Food for thought

I agree. I use it only for meds.

 

[Jediagh]

Thanks All!!! Off to buy a filter wool.

 

[swampcat]

I have never used carbon in my filters....why?

When carbon has absorbed as much of the nasties out of the water as possible, i.e., it becomes saturated, it will beging releasing them back into the water heance mixing all the chemicals you have used in the tank and pouring them back in effectively....

Food for thought

This statment makes no sense. If carbon serves no purpose in an ideal situation what is it absorbing? Carbon would then last forever. Or is it removing nasties from the water? Carbon could only become saturated if it is in fact removing those nasties in the first place. which is it?

If you would change it as recommended min. once a month it would be unlikely to become saturated, in fact would last almost forever. especially if its only needed for special situations when chemicals ect. are used. Maybe its removing something else too?

Whats saturating the carbon? when no chemicals or additives are being used???

 

[Da_Oz]

Well if it does nothing. Why do they put it in filters? I don't use it cause of plants, but it does more than just take out oders. There is a reason it is there.

 

[swampcat]

Well if it does nothing. Why do they put it in filters? I don't use it cause of plants, but it does more than just take out oders. There is a reason it is there.

I agree!

 

[reg2k2]

I've always used carbon. It can help to remove nicotine, insecticide, fumes---poisons that should be avoided---as well as color, odor, and accumulated organic compounds. I like the idea of having it there as a precaution, in the event something unforseen does come into contact w/ the tank.

 

[swampcat]

I've always used carbon. It can help to remove nicotine, insecticide, fumes---poisons that should be avoided---as well as color, odor, and accumulated organic compounds. I like the idea of having it there as a precaution, in the event something unforseen does come into contact w/ the tank.

I agree! I have always used it and still do.

 

[lizard]

I read, somewhere on this board, that carbon won't release what it has soaked up. Now, I don't remember exactly who said it or what s/he said... That makes sense to me...what would be the point of putting the carbon in there to "soak stuff up" if it's just going to release it again if you don't remove it in time? From a chemistry standpoint, it doesn't make much sense to me...

I haven't used carbon in my filter(s) for quite awhile. I have filter floss and do use that

Pamela
aka Married Lizard