Activated Carbon Good Or Bad

[nostorey]

I read on a wed site that Activated Carbon will remove trace minerals! True or False

 

[rdd1952]

Most members here don't use it. It's primary purpose is as a chemical filter for removing meds after treatment. If you run it on a normal basis, it becomes saturated in a matter of a day to a couple weeks and has to be replaced. the problem with that is you are throwing away a large portion of your beneficial bacteria that have colonized on it. Most people replace it with some type ceramic rings or noodles that don't have to be changed. And in answer to your question, it will remove some of them up to the point that it is saturated.

 

[Colin_T]

Carbon is used to remove chemicals from water and air. It will remove fertilisers and medications along with heavy metals. Trace elements will be removed. It will also remove chemicals released by corals during warfare.

Under average conditions normal carbon should be replaced every month and activated carbon every two months.

If you plan on treating fish with medication then remove the carbon, and the same with fertilising plants.
Don't re-use old carbon. If it has been in a tank and you have taken it out then throw it away.
I don't use it unless I have to remove chemicals (excess medication) from the water. Remove the carbon and put another sponge in the filter in its place.

 

[nostorey]

Thank you!

 

[raptorrex]

Most members here don't use it. It's primary purpose is as a chemical filter for removing meds after treatment. If you run it on a normal basis, it becomes saturated in a matter of a day to a couple weeks and has to be replaced. the problem with that is you are throwing away a large portion of your beneficial bacteria that have colonized on it. Most people replace it with some type ceramic rings or noodles that don't have to be changed. And in answer to your question, it will remove some of them up to the point that it is saturated.

wise advice

 

[nicnak]

Ive just started a fishless cycle and i have some of this in my filter.Should i take it out now or leave it.... and do i have to replace it with something or can i just take it out

Thanks

 

[raptorrex]

Ive just started a fishless cycle and i have some of this in my filter.Should i take it out now or leave it.... and do i have to replace it with something or can i just take it out

Thanks

i would suggest you remove it for the cycle

 

[nicnak]

Thanks bobo... will do it now

 

[raptorrex]

Thanks bobo... will do it now

sorry forgot to say, replace the carbon with a bit of bio foam of the same size. or if you have room some form of ceramic media.

 

[nostorey]

After removing carbon and water changes how about using a extract that contains trace elements?

 

[TwoTankAmin33]

Carbon can remove some desired trace elements needed for high light, co2 added planted tanks but nothing that is needed in the average tank. However there is also little need to run carbon on a tank except to remove something such as meds or other things you don't want. Once they are out, the carbon is of little day to day benefit in the vast majority of tanks.

 

[abzorbd]

So with a HOB filter, the directions say to replace every two weeks. Does that mean that this doesn't need to be done? I haven't been changing it. I have been rinsing all the muck off of it in the old water when I do a water change. I am hoping to go to a canister filter as soon as I have the money to. So have I been doing it right or have I been screwing up again?

 

[rdd1952]

You should only replace the filter pack when it is too torn and worn out to function properly. The carbon is pretty much saturated in 2 to 3 weeks so it isn't doing anythiing except providing a place for bacteria to colonize. Most members don't use the carbon as there are better biological media available.