Do you use Carbon all the time??

[rvm]

I was just wondering. I only use carbon in my filters when I have to. i.e to remove medication etc.
I just wondered if there was any benefit to having carbon in there all the time??

 

[Nidge]

I use carbon in all my tanks and i think its great, It keeps the water really clear and one time i took it out of one of my tanks for a while the water got really stained it was only when i put the carbon back that i realised just how effective it is.

 

[Blazer]

Carbon? what are you atalking about? what does carbon do?

~Dan

 

[drunkenmonkey]

Carbon can remove additives to the water such as heavy metals, medicines, and plant fertalizer.

i keep on small pack in my fluval and change it once a month. But im thinking about not using carbon because it removes my plant fertilizer. Since i do water changes often, i don't think it would be too big of a deal.

 

[Blazer]

ok thanks? how do u put it in ur tank? just poor it in or is there a system of some sort?

~Dan

 

[drunkenmonkey]

Carbon is used in filter as media. So depending what kind of filter you have, you can probably go to your lfs and get some media that contains carbon.

I'll try to find some examples for you.

 

[drunkenmonkey]

If you use a Penguin or Emperor filter, this is a filter cartrige made for the marineland HOB filters. It contains carbon surrounded by polywool.

I use a fluval canister filter, so my carbon insert looks like this. I just soak it in some water (usually the water i just siphoned out) to get rid of the depris. Then i just put it a tray in my filter.

There is also the carbon that comes in big boxes that you can poor into your filters (i assume), but i'm not very familiar with that kind. HTH

 

[Arashi]

Yes...yes I do. I know some people are against carbon, but I love it. My water is always super clear.

 

[FishDan]

Generally I use carbon only when I replace my filter media. I use an Emperor 280 and generally use the cartridge about 4-6 months, depending on how the mechanical portion of the filter is holding up. Catridges are just too expensive to replace every couple weeks. As far as the "pour-in" carbon media, you can use something Black Diamond Carbon by Marineland. It is used either inside HOB filters like the Emporor with a cartridge, inside "bio-bag" type filter bags or in baskets that are used in many canister filters. I am not against carbon, I just don't feel the overriding need to use it all that often. It certainly has its uses though, so I always have some handy. Either in my Emporer cartridges and I also have a container of the Black Diamond.

If you do use carbon, remember to replace it every couple weeks. After a couple weeks it stops acting as an adsorber of chemical impurities. At this point is is nothing more than a (very good) medium for bacterial colonies to grow and help with your biological filtration.

\Dan

 

[heresmike]

I don't use it because I don't notice any difference in water clarity when I do use it.

 

[elgecko]

I only use carbon after I treat the tank with meds. After a week or two I take the carbon out.

 

[Grams]

i use the carbone for my oscar tank

 

[rvm]

I posted this last night before I went to bed, and I just seen someone else posted pretty much the exact same topic before me!!! Sorry

 

[shrks1fan]

I used to use it all the time until I found out you don't have to unless you have water problems. My water quality has stayed just as good as it was before I stopped using it. Carbon is the fish businesses way of stealing our money. I only keep some on hand now in case I need to medicate, I'll use it to remove the medication afterwards (I haven't even needed to do this yet and it's been over a year since I stopped using it).

Linda

 

[tstenback]

very rarely these days. Only when removing meds or if there is a water clarity issue.