Activated Carbon Filter

[LionessN3cubs]

Im cycling a 10g tank and was reading a different post that mentioned filters that use carbon aren't the best choice. My aquarium came as a kit and the filter does use a blue mesh insert with activated carbon in it. Is this okay or should I look into buying a new filter system? Its a penguin biowheel 3.

 

[Colin_T]

most power filters come with carbon. I usually tell people not to use it unless they want to remove chemicals/ heavy metals from the tank water. The cabron absorbs plant fertilisers and fish medications from the water so it isn't a good idea to use if you are treating fish or are trying to grow plants.
Just replace the carbon with some noodles, ceramic beads or a bit of filter floss/ sponge.

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

Whoa, it removes plant fertiliser ?

My external filter has always had carbon in it, but I faithfully put plant food in the tank every week - Have I been completely wasting my time and money ?!!! LOL

(The plants are all doing ok though)

 

[Colin_T]

carbon will remove iron and trace elements that are disolved in the water.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

oh okay. I'll let it be then because for some reason our tap water dries PINK on surfaces so maybe the carbon is cleaning whatever causes that out of the tank water. Thanks for the answers

 

[waterdrop]

Whoa, it removes plant fertiliser ?

My external filter has always had carbon in it, but I faithfully put plant food in the tank every week - Have I been completely wasting my time and money ?!!! LOL

(The plants are all doing ok though)

Probably didn't hurt for long. Many say that carbon is only effective for about 3 days to a week, then its little chambers are all clogged up after that.

 

[kewskills]

oh okay. I'll let it be then because for some reason our tap water dries PINK on surfaces so maybe the carbon is cleaning whatever causes that out of the tank water. Thanks for the answers

What your tap water dries pink. why? any ideas. that seems strange to me.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

LOL I have NO idea why it dries pink but it sure does. I get a pink residue on my dish drainer and on the edges of my tub from it. I've asked the water company and they mumbled something about it being nothing to worry about with no answer as to what causes it.

 

[Colin_T]

oh okay. I'll let it be then because for some reason our tap water dries PINK on surfaces so maybe the carbon is cleaning whatever causes that out of the tank water. Thanks for the answers

That's a bit of a concern, having water leave a pink residue behind. I would write to the government about it and ask what the heck it is. I would also contact the TV stations and newspapers. You could be getting poisoned by your water company.

 

[waterdrop]

Oh, I was thinking you guys wouldn't find pink to be too unusual. Dripping from new copper pipes that haven't oxidized or been organically coated will turn ceramic sinks blue or blue/green. I think pink is a similar thing, just a different metal, not copper. I didn't post because I couldn't remember what metal (was thinking magnesium or some zinc combo or something...) I'm thinking it is when acids or more acid water passed through (vague memory, could be totally wrong!) and of course it can be fittings between pipes or solder material, not just the pipes themselves. Sometimes water authorities can come out and do a test of what is coming out at your end, as Colin mentions.