Too much carbon?

[-Lp]

After doing a 40% water change in the 150 yesterday, I cleaned one of my eheim 2217's and was thinking..is it possible to add too much carbon? I usually fill the 6"x12" bag halfway and tie it off then pop it in the canister. Is there a general amount, let's say per gallon you should add, or does it really matter.

[Nautilus29]

I dont think theres really such a thing as too much carbon, unless your filling up the whole canister media with it. I dont use carbon in my tanks at all.

[PostalPenguin]

Nah, too much carbon isn't possible. It'll just be more expensive.

[Wild Turkey]

I cant think of anything using more carbon would do that using less would not.

Personally, I recommend not using more than 25% charcoal as your media. Meaning, when you replace your carbon monthly (which you should do, otherwise just use a regular media type) you arent taking the majority of your bacteria bed with it. To me, thats the only thing that stands out to me as important to consider in the matter.

[-Lp]

Thank for the re-affirmation folks, kind of what I thought too.

[MonkeyPox]

Count me in the crowd that doesn't think you should use carbon on a regular basis, but instead to only treat for a specific thing.

[Fishguy2727]

I don't use it at all in any of my tanks.

[MonkeyPox]

Same. I only use it when I medicate, and usually in a quarantine tank unless I suspect something has gotten to everyone.