To use or not to use carbon

[shuhu]

I currently have an undergravel filter, and I was using the little carbon thing that comes at the top of it, the thing is that I had to removed it since I used metylene blue to treat some ill fish and now that they are fine I was wondering if I really need it, some people say is not usefull and some say its good to have it, so should I put it back or not???

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Put it back. Charcoal can readily absorb thousands of times it's own weight in harmful substances, and activated carbon has an even higher absorption rate. Not to mention that underground filter merely suck all gunk under the filter, it doesn't get rid of it, and other than providing biological filtration it doesn't do jack.

 

[steelhealr]

You can search this and find tons of posts. My 46G FW has been 'carbonless' now for several months. The fish are doing fine and the water is crystal clear. I think that carbon will go the way of the dinosaurs as a standard item in a filter. It IS necessary to remove left over chemicals/meds when completing treatment for fish. I'd keep one cartridge on hand for those emergencies, but, otherwise, save your money. SH

 

[shuhu]

thanks

hehe, you see ???

Someone said YES and someone else said NO... OK, so I guess I'll use it for now to remove whatever its left of the medication and I won't change it as often as it says on the box.

Any more comments are wellcome

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I read about the absoption rate in an article on making a poultice with activated charcoal to suck out infections and poisons. If it can save someones life, I imagine it can help suck the bad crap out of the water.

 

[GSD]

i use carbon because it came with the filter so i think i might as wel use it!

 

[FishEnthusiast]

I took my carbon out a couple of months ago, and I have noticed no ill effect on my fish. I suppose when I change my filter the carbon will go back in as it is in the new filter. I have no intention of doing that any time soon though, my filters are working fine.

 

[gadazobe]

There's a lot of people that keep carbon in their filters and there's a lot that don't (including me). Just one thing though, if you do decide on carbon in your filter, then remember to change it regularly because old carbon will leach the impurities that it's caught back into the water after a few weeks.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

See, that's what I don't get, the carbon leaching back chemicals, well, what's the difference between that and not having carbon to take care of the chemicals in the first place?

 

[Torrean]

I say keep am empty carbon bag in your filter and fill it only after meds and such. I keep cabon in mine all the time but this seems like a good midground on the issue.

 

[gadazobe]

See, that's what I don't get, the carbon leaching back chemicals, well, what's the difference between that and not having carbon to take care of the chemicals in the first place?

When I said impurities I didn't mean chemicals. Carbon will help to keep the water clear by trapping excesive bits and pieces (something that a good filter does anyway) If you medicate a tank, then carbon will neutralise the remaining medication when the course is finished. Carbon will remain active for about 6 weeks after which time it has no use whatsoever. If your tank is not stable and still producing excessive ammonia, nitrite, nitrate for any reason, these will be leached back into the water when the carbon finishes its' "life span".

 

[NinjaSmurf]

That's the part I get, how do the people who don't use carbon get the ammonia and stuff out of their tanks?

 

[shuhu]

That's the part I get, how do the people who don't use carbon get the ammonia and stuff out of their tanks?

for what I know the ammonia gets taken cared by the bacteria

 

[Undawada]

The simple answer? Water changes.

There is also a complex system of nitrification that goes on in any established tank, using bacteria to convert Ammonia to Nitrite and then Nitrite into Nitrate. Nitrate is then removed during water changes.

It all has to do with regular maintenance and water changes, carbon is really a preference issue.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Isn't carbon filters bad for tanks with live plants as they take out all the nutrients the plants need to grow out of the water? Also don't they remove meds as well when you treat your fish for illnesses?