Using Liquid Fert'......

[Valmyre]

Hya, I have just purchased a bottle of Liquid fertilizer, it states that I must remove the carbon sponge in my filter in order for the fert to work, does this mean that I will not be able to use carbon sponges if I opt to use liquid fertilizers?

 

[jimbooo]

basically carbon sponges absorb the ingredients of the ferts so putting them in a tank with carbon filtration is a total waste of time.

for this reason planted tanks do not use carbon at all. you only really need carbon sponges to absorb medications after treating problems but still this can be taken care of with a couple of water changes.

 

[mattpage]

Is the same true of using activated carbon?
If so I wasnt aware of that, and I shall remove it on the weekend.

 

[jimbooo]

yep it's the same thing. carbon sponges are for juwel filters etc.. ie those that take specific filter media. activated carbon is the same thing for use in external filters.

you dont want that in a planted tank. common mistake to make though it took me 8 month to realise why my ferts weren't doing anything LOL

 

[Valmyre]

basically carbon sponges absorb the ingredients of the ferts so putting them in a tank with carbon filtration is a total waste of time.

for this reason planted tanks do not use carbon at all. you only really need carbon sponges to absorb medications after treating problems but still this can be taken care of with a couple of water changes.

Thanks for the advice jimboo , i'll remove my carbon sponge