Carbon, yes or no?

[crackatinny]

My local fish shop owner told me I am best to get rid of the carbon in my 4 stage filter (2 filter pads, bio balls, carbon), and add another filter pad in its place, he claims carbon is not nessesary and go's off anyway.

What are your guys veiw on this?

I thought carbon was to take toxins out of water.

[Rue]

Carbon takes out some 'bad' stuff...which is why you have to take it out when you're medicating the tank...

...I mainly use it because I like my water crystal clear and smelling fresh!!!

But I'm not a fanatic about it...likely don't change it quite enough...

[jeffs99dime]

i'm completely against carbon in any tank unless it is being used to remove meds after a treatment period. the best way to remove toxins from the water is through routine water changes and maintenance. also, i'm against adding any chemicals to a tank.

[crackatinny]

i'm completely against carbon in any tank unless it is being used to remove meds after a treatment period. the best way to remove toxins from the water is through routine water changes and maintenance. also, i'm against adding any chemicals to a tank.

So unless I use chemical's, which I very rarely do, unless 100% nesesary, the carbon is of no benifit?

[Lady Hobbs]

I'm in total agreement with Jeff. I don't use it at all unless using meds and that's very, very seldom. I agree that most problems won't arise if good water changes are done regularly and the tank is kept clean in regular maintenance.

It's suspected to also be a possible cause of HITH. Problem I see with charcoal is people use the same filter for long periods of time with just rinsing it off now and then. The carbon is only good for a couple weeks.

I also use it for cycling, however, with the feeling it may help remove the toxins of a new cycle but toss it as soon as the cycle is complete.

[Chrona]

I'll toss it in on occasion to remove that "fishy" smell that builds up even with water changes.

[Fishguy2727]

What filter do you have that has those medias?

I stopped using carbon at all a while ago. I see no difference. I think it treats a symptom, not the problem. If you keep up with your water changes that actually takes care fo the problem.

[crackatinny]

It was more of an opinion on carbon than a fix I was after, the filter is called aqua-nova 1500, just wanted to know what you guys thought of carbon, so far it is against, if I free up that basket I will probably put in a cotton woll based media to aid more in the filtering process, this would be even finer than any sponge based filter I have in there.

[Fishguy2727]

I don't think anyone should need it if they keep up with their water changes. Keep a little around just in case, and you may need it to pull out meds.

[cocoa_pleco]

i use carbon, but to be honest i havent changed the carbon packs for about 3 months.

[crackatinny]

i use carbon, but to be honest i havent changed the carbon packs for about 3 months.

From what I been told on here and locally, ditch it, it is spose to spoil after a few weeks

[Chrona]

It doesn't spoil, but it basically can't hold any more after a month (less if you have lots of pollutants) It doesn't hurt to leave it in the filter though. In fact, some people toss in zeolite and activated carbon into a new tank and leave it in the filter after it wears out as biological media.

[cocoa_pleco]

carbon just absorbs impurities, and it wont hold anymore when its full after 1 month. I just dont want to screw up my bio-filtration, so im leaving it.

[Fishguy2727]

You should have enough biological media to not have any issue with pulling out all the carbon. Just replace it with more biological media. That is what I have done and my tanks are better for it.

[Rue]

I still think it makes the water clearer and reduces the aquarium 'odor'...

...at any rate...carbon won't hurt anything...so personal preference...

...unless of course, you're medicating...

[Fishguy2727]

That is what I used to think. The problem is that it will remove trace elements and micronutrients, which are vital for the fish, so yes it can do harm. If you are doing enough water changes you should not see a difference in whether or not you use carbon or not, I see none. If anything it tells me when I am overdue for a water change when I notive the tank is not crystal clear, whereas with carbon I may not notice. Carbon treats the symptoms of lack of water changes whereas water changes actually treat the problem. You need to treat the problem itself, not just its symptoms.

[xoolooxunny]

I have recently ditched carbon and have just increased the amount of water change from 15g to 25g per week for my 75g tank. I have not had any problems yet, and my water stays just as clear (planted) I want to up the wc to about 50% per week, but i want to get a python for this feat, instead of buckets!

[jeffs99dime]

That is what I used to think. The problem is that it will remove trace elements and micronutrients, which are vital for the fish, so yes it can do harm. If you are doing enough water changes you should not see a difference in whether or not you use carbon or not, I see none. If anything it tells me when I am overdue for a water change when I notive the tank is not crystal clear, whereas with carbon I may not notice. Carbon treats the symptoms of lack of water changes whereas water changes actually treat the problem. You need to treat the problem itself, not just its symptoms.

i'm with reptileguy here. i conduct large water changes as well and do not use carbon. i see absolutely no difference except for the fact that my tank is healthier

[Lady Hobbs]

Well, today I headed into Walmart to get my new supply of filter floss. Yup. Another bed pillow. I can pick up a bed pillow for $250 or less....whatever is on sale......and get 10 times the amount of floss I can get from one of their $3.98 bags of floss in the fish department.

I've done this about 5 times now when going to PetSmart hasn't been an option.

[hungryhound]

I can pick up a bed pillow for $250 or less....whatever is on sale......and get 10 times the amount of floss I can get from one of their $3.98 bags of floss in the fish department.

I've done this about 5 times now when going to PetSmart hasn't been an option.


umm...me thinks you're missing a decimal...as that's some seriously expensive filter floss:ezpi_wink1: