Carbon v No Carbon

[Marty]

We are probably going to upgrade our filters to the BioWheels, but I wanted to learn other peoples experiences with filters that contain carbon and those that dont.

We bought the filter padding in bulk, that contains no carbon and cut them into shape for our filters for the past couple weeks, and I haven't had so much trouble keeping our tanks stable as I did when we bought the replacement cartridges that had the carbon inside them.

Is this a common experience?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Most people do not run carbon as a staple in their filters simply because it is not necessary. The addition of carbon is only necessary when you have something that you need to remove from your water such as medications.

[Marty]

Really? hmm, we always had stable levels in our tanks with the carbon, but after switching our levels are all over the place.

[jaysee]

I have been phasing out the carbon in my tanks and haven't seen any changes yet. My line of thought was if it's not broke don't fix it, so I tried it on a couple, and then a couple more.

When you say you're having trouble with stability and your levels, what exactly do you mean?

[Fishguy2727]

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[Red]

No carbon for me, only after meds..

[DrNic]

Carbon is a hotly debated topic in aquariums.

In my opinion any tank under 35 gallons should use carbon that's changed every 3-4 weeks. The carbon will help to remove any minerals and dissolved organic material in the water that can accumulate quickly in small tanks. And water changes just aren't always enough for this kind of thing. I've found that it also helps reduce algae in the tanks.

Others will disagree but I can taste the difference after my tap water has been through the activated charcoal filter in my fridge, and that is all the convincing I need.

[Wild Turkey]

Really? hmm, we always had stable levels in our tanks with the carbon, but after switching our levels are all over the place.

Probably gave yourself a mini-cycle switching the medias. The levels being all over or stable has nothing to do with whether or not you are running carbon, as long as its just carbon.

[Marty]

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Good article, but I presume this is meerly opinion based on experience?
How would you explain the situation I have.. simply; carbon = easy stable levels, no carbon = eradic levels?
Thanks.

Probably gave yourself a mini-cycle switching the medias. The levels being all over or stable has nothing to do with whether or not you are running carbon, as long as its just carbon.
I did wonder that. I have been using 'Cycle' with every water change, I hoped it would have helped.

[Wild Turkey]

Good article, but I presume this is meerly opinion based on experience?
How would you explain the situation I have.. simply; carbon = easy stable levels, no carbon = eradic levels?
Thanks.


I did wonder that. I have been using 'Cycle' with every water change, I hoped it would have helped.

The old cycle was worthless, the new cycle, i cant comment on, however i wouldnt trust it. (You can tell which one you have easily, the old stuff is in a very plain, straight bottle, the new stuff looks much fancier, with a curved bottle.)

If you want a product that may actually help these situations Tetra SafeStart or API Stress zyme are the way to go.


Edit:spelling

[jaysee]

What are your pre and post levels?

[Marty]

The old cycle was worthless, the new cycle, i cant comment on, however i wouldnt trust it. (You can tell which one you have easily, the old stuff if in a very plain, straight bottle, the new stuff looks much fancier, with a curved bottle.)

If you want a product that may actually help these situations Tetra SafeStart or API Stress zyme are the way to go.
Really?
hmm, we managed to cycle our 37g in about 2-3 weeks using Cycle (as tested by the LFS, plus some bacteria in gravel given by our friend) so that surprises me.. we have the old style bottle :)

I will look into those other brands.

What are your pre and post levels?

Well, before they were perfect. our most recent stats they sit at..

10g - Tetra's
gH kH pH NO2 NO3
30 40 7.5 1 20
0 40 6 0.5 10


10g - Barbs
gH kH pH NO2 NO3
60 80 6.5 0 80 (5 days ago)
30 40 6.5 0 40 (after 4 days of 30-50% water changes daily, haven't done a water change today)

I dont have any ammonia levels yet.

[Northernguy]

I removed the carbon in my 2 10s months ago but I did not remove the sponge.I think you messed up your cycle by removing your cartridge all at once and replacing it with whatever.You should have left a peice of the old filter with it.Your filter holds most of the cycle not the gravel.

[kennedpa]

No carbon for me ... takes out the nutrients the plants need

[Marty]

I removed the carbon in my 2 10s months ago but I did not remove the sponge.I think you messed up your cycle by removing your cartridge all at once and replacing it with whatever.You should have left a peice of the old filter with it.Your filter holds most of the cycle not the gravel.
The 10g's only have 1 filter cartridge, should I have ripped a part of the old filter and placed it behind the new ones?

[mommy1]

The 10g's only have 1 filter cartridge, should I have ripped a part of the old filter and placed it behind the new ones?exactly! never take out all the media to replace, instead you should stuff some new media in with the old for a few weeks. then take out the old.

[Marty]

exactly! never take out all the media to replace, instead you should stuff some new media in with the old for a few weeks. then take out the old.
ok. sounds like a plan.
So what is the point in replacing the media? If I put new in the with the old for a few weeks, then the new would also be old.!?

[Wild Turkey]

The 10g's only have 1 filter cartridge, should I have ripped a part of the old filter and placed it behind the new ones?

Yea, if u have this problem again (probably wont since now u know) cut open the pouch, dump out the carbon and give it a rinse in used tank water, and then replace it, along with some new media, and dont remove it for at least a few weeks.

Edit: With regular media, there is no need to change it until it is falling apart basically, just rinse it ever once in a while with used tank water.

[mommy1]

leave the old one in until it is falling apart. if you are not using carbon you dont have to change it that often. put the new one in about 2-3 weeks before you want to change the old one. in between, if the old one needs it, rinse it in used tank water when you do your water changes. i change mine about every four months or so.

[Marty]

cool, thanks, appreciate it all :)

[jaysee]

Depending on the kind of cartridge you have, after emptying the carbon you can stuff it with biomax or something similar. When it comes time to set up another tank, just pull out the biomax bag and put it in the filter of the new tank, add fish (LESS than the origional bioload) and you're good to go.

They tell you to replace the cartridge every month because of the threat of the carbon releasing toxins in the water when it gets "full"....and to make an extra few dollars.

[Wild Turkey]

If you want to run carbon frequently the best idea is to buy some floss pouches and carbon and pack them yourself. You do need to replace them after about a month since after that the carbon is not effective. Whether it leeches or not depends on a lot of factors and is quite heavily debated.

[jaysee]

WT - When packing your own, should you use the same amount of carbon that comes in the cartridge for the filter, more, or less?

[Wild Turkey]

WT - When packing your own, should you use the same amount of carbon that comes in the cartridge for the filter, more, or less?

I think 8 tablespoons per 10 gallons is about right, but most charcoal has instructions on the bottle/box.

[jaysee]

Thanks WT - you've always got the answer.