Carbon

[smb]

Was curious as to how many of us do/don't use it.

 

[gadazobe]

I just voted - I don't use carbon - the only things I have in my filters on my cichlid tank is filter floss and those little ceramic bits and in my community filter I use sponges and floss. IMO the only thing carbon is good for is taking out medications and as I don't use them either, I don't need carbon. I rely on the biological filter and frequent water changes.

 

[Alien Anna]

I wanted a yes, but...

I do use carbon, but only for very specific situations, such as to remove medication. If I'm not sure what's wrong with a fish, and I try medication that doesn't work after a few days, I'll put some carbon in to remove it and then try something else. I don't leave carbon in my filter all the time.

 

[CFC]

No, like gad i only use after course of medication to remove the chemicals from the water once its finished.

 

[smb]

Dang! This got buried fast!

For the sake of bumping...

Carbon is WAY overrated. To me, it's like snakeoil in the ol' days. It's pretty much worthless.

I don't use carbon as I think it's a fallacy only used for the big companies to get richer.

Do the people that use carbon realize that unless you buy top grade carbon, which isn't available in most lfs's, that it might only last 3-4 days? If you do buy BD, it's only good for about 15 or so days?

Filter floss is about $1.50 for a 1-2 years supply where carbon is about $8 a month. The catch is, imo, that filter floss is better. Much better!

As long as you do a water change, I've yet to understand why carbon is ever needed?

Yes, if you med, it gets rid of it faster, but there's no hurry even then and if there is, you might use it once every 3-5 years?

Having activated carbon does nothing more than a simple water change can do!

This was my whole point I intended to make. I wanted to save people money and make their water cleaner. Carbon can't do that over the long haul but filter floss will.

Please think about it.

 

[Mogo]

I'm with everyone else here, only use it to remove meds and will only leave it in for a a day or two and toss it.

 

[AquaNut]

No carbon.

 

[revengeishere]

Dang! This got buried fast!

For the sake of bumping...

Carbon is WAY overrated. To me, it's like snakeoil in the ol' days. It's pretty much worthless.

I don't use carbon as I think it's a fallacy only used for the big companies to get richer.

Do the people that use carbon realize that unless you buy top grade carbon, which isn't available in most lfs's, that it might only last 3-4 days? If you do buy BD, it's only good for about 15 or so days?

Filter floss is about $1.50 for a 1-2 years supply where carbon is about $8 a month. The catch is, imo, that filter floss is better. Much better!

As long as you do a water change, I've yet to understand why carbon is ever needed?

Yes, if you med, it gets rid of it faster, but there's no hurry even then and if there is, you might use it once every 3-5 years?

Having activated carbon does nothing more than a simple water change can do!

This was my whole point I intended to make. I wanted to save people money and make their water cleaner. Carbon can't do that over the long haul but filter floss will.

Please think about it.

Thanx for clearing that up. I used to use carbon. Now I dont as it is expensive! I could just more plants with the cost of the carbon, and have better benefits.

Also, i didnt know filter floss is that cheap! Wow, I'm off to buy one later.

 

[pebbles]

i voted a no, would only use as necessary.....pebbles

 

[Kossy]

I voted yes...becuase I find it keeps my water cleaner therefore I don't change it as often. YES i checked everything to make sure I'm not pulling this from my behind.

 

[cichlidmaster]

Kossy,

I voted yes...becuase I find it keeps my water cleaner therefore I don't change it as often.

You have just stated why carbon should NOT be used!!!

Carbon removes impurities only. It does not or is not intended to replace regular frequent water changes!!

Did you also know that after a few days, carbon can release these impurities back into the water as toxins and possibly at a more lethal dose??

Carbon is a waste on money!!

CM

 

[Kossy]

I know CM...but from experience I've checked water fixtures and with carbon they remain good for around 3 weeks but without aroudn 1.5 weeks. its just a thing i've noticed serioucsly I checked it liked 5 times. But hey I'm not 100% sure (i still change the water weekly but not as much as monthly I do a 1/5 change weekly)

 

[golfboy444]

i dont even no what carbon is so....

 

[littlamy]

I do use carbon in my filter for my 20L at work simply to remove the odor that tends to build in a small closed office. I DO NOT use it to replace water changes! I agree that the prepacked carbon filters that say to be changed monthly are a rip off. I have found that changing out the carbon weekly when I do my water change (I only use about a teaspoon) really keeps the fishy smell in check. Plus by just rinsing my filter bag (also has floss in there) and using the carton of higher quality carbon I get off a LOT cheaper. I do not use carbon on my tanks at home.

 

[guppymonkey]

I have one of those power filters that hang on the back of the tank. How would you filter the water without having a cartridge for that type of filter? I would think that the floss stuff wouldn't stay in the cartridge area and would end up floating around the tank! I like to change my filter everyone month or two because it gets kinda nasty looking (and smelling!) If there is a way to not have to waste money buying new filters every month and use the floss which is a lot cheaper I would try it.