Do I Need Carbon/amonia Rocks All The Time?

[osikorn]

I have a 75 gallon fresh water tank. I have 4 discus cichlids, oscar, 2 jack dempsey cichlids, placo and red tail catfish (all fish are young) I have some live plants (not sure what kind but they are standard bundles from Petco.)

I am using a Marineland 350 Magnum filter, and a UV filter for algea. I have two air hoses for lots of bubbles which makes the oscar very happy.

I recently treated for Ich, and had to take out the carbon media in put in the micro filter. after a day, the water was crystal clear. the tank is healed so i replaced the carbon media. as soon as i did, even though i rinsed everything with non-cholorinated water, the tank is foggy again. not over foggy but its not clear. there is a marked difference.

So my question is...

Do I need to use a carbon filter? or is a microfilter enough for a tank set up like mine.
What is the benefit of the carbon filter after the tanks initial setup.

thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[walkers101]

I have a 75 gallon fresh water tank. I have 4 discus cichlids, oscar, 2 jack dempsey cichlids, placo and red tail catfish (all fish are young) I have some live plants (not sure what kind but they are standard bundles from Petco.)

I am using a Marineland 350 Magnum filter, and a UV filter for algea. I have two air hoses for lots of bubbles which makes the oscar very happy.

I recently treated for Ich, and had to take out the carbon media in put in the micro filter. after a day, the water was crystal clear. the tank is healed so i replaced the carbon media. as soon as i did, even though i rinsed everything with non-cholorinated water, the tank is foggy again. not over foggy but its not clear. there is a marked difference.

So my question is...

Do I need to use a carbon filter? or is a microfilter enough for a tank set up like mine.
What is the benefit of the carbon filter after the tanks initial setup.

thanks in advance for the advice.

You have discus with an oscar and dempseys? oh dear

and it sounds like your using old carbon which will slowly leech back into the water

just remove it you dont really need it

 

[Caprichoso]

I have a 75 gallon fresh water tank. I have 4 discus cichlids, oscar, 2 jack dempsey cichlids, placo and red tail catfish (all fish are young) I have some live plants (not sure what kind but they are standard bundles from Petco.)

I am using a Marineland 350 Magnum filter, and a UV filter for algea. I have two air hoses for lots of bubbles which makes the oscar very happy.

I recently treated for Ich, and had to take out the carbon media in put in the micro filter. after a day, the water was crystal clear. the tank is healed so i replaced the carbon media. as soon as i did, even though i rinsed everything with non-cholorinated water, the tank is foggy again. not over foggy but its not clear. there is a marked difference.

So my question is...

Do I need to use a carbon filter? or is a microfilter enough for a tank set up like mine.
What is the benefit of the carbon filter after the tanks initial setup.

thanks in advance for the advice.

Carbon is useful for removing tannins from bog wood out of the water and also for removing medication out of the water after a dosing. Ammonia rocks are a bad idea as it gives you a false sense of security about preventing ammonia in the tank. A good, clean, well maintained aquarium has no need for carbon or ammonia inserts on a regular basis. Should you ever be faced with an ammonia spike, water changes would be the preferred method for normalizing water parameters again. If you have foggy water, it's best to get to the root of "why" so you can fix it. Carbon, IMO is a bandaid solution. Generally speaking, sufficient filtration, plants, appropriate fish stocking numbers and weekly maintenance with sufficient water changes will give you crystal clear water.

Good luck

 

[fishguy2727]

You don't need ammo chips unless the tank is uncycled or you are shipping/moving fish.

Most tanks don't need carbon if they get enough water changes.

Get rid of the redtail asap, I don't think you can handle a 4' catfish.

The discus should be separate from the oscar and jacks. I assume the oscar and jacks are tiny and that's why your discus aren't dead yet.

You don't need ammo chips unless the tank is uncycled or you are shipping/moving fish.

Most tanks don't need carbon if they get enough water changes.

Get rid of the redtail asap, I don't think you can handle a 4' catfish.

The discus should be separate from the oscar and jacks. I assume the oscar and jacks are tiny and that's why your discus aren't dead yet.

 

[walkers101]

I was so shocked i didnt even see that you have a red tail cat

get rid