Activated Carbon

[Emissary of Pain]

Hey all ...

I feel like I am starting fish keeping all over again with all my questions ... and funnily enough ... here is another ... lol ...


My current internal filter is a resun ... It has a detatchable powerhead and the filter media goes into a cylinder which clips onto the powerhead. The cylinder originally had a green square with a similar look to a pot scourer (dunno wat it would be called sorry) which lined the cylinder and then inside it had plastic bio balls.

I immediately replaced the bio balls before they even saw water with siporax, and I do not regret that.

My question is this.


I have heard that activated carbon polishes water slightly and is good 4 removing chemicals in the water and has a slight effect on clearing tannins. Does this really work ?? As I am setting up a 140g with a lot of driftwood which is 2 big 2 boil, I have soaked the driftwood on and off for 3 weeks and will be soaking constantly now with hot water changes when needed until I get my new tank, I dont mind tannins but would like to avoid it as much as possible.

And how can I put A\C into 1 of the 2 cylinders ?? (would making a pouch out of nylon stockings work?)

Thank you in advance.

Regards,
Richard.

 

[ajs2294]

Activated carbon will remove tannins and chemicals from your water for 4 or so days. For the most part though removing tannins is best done by water changes until your wood stops leaching. Carbon is a great tool for removing medications in water and cutting down on odor also. But In some circumstances its best not to have carbon such as planted tanks or black water tanks.

 

[Emissary of Pain]

Hey hey ...

Thanks for the reply ... was starting to think it would go unanswered ... lol ...

What exactly is black water tanks ??

Thanks for the info, I will use the little bit of carbon my cousin lent me just 2 remove some tannins then reply on water changes.

Regards,
Richard

 

[ajs2294]

Black Water tanks are when you choose to keep tannins and add thinks like peat or chemicals to keep the water a yellowish brown tint. Its mostly used for South American tanks if you choose to do so. For the most part is purely aesthetic as fish will do fine in clear water, but some say its easier for breeding and some other reasons. Basically the opposite of the look you are going for .

 

[Emissary of Pain]

Hey again ...

LOL ... Yeah I prefer clear water caue then when you show off your tank it doenst look "dirty" ... lol ... But this tank will be for cichlids mainly BOB The Destroyer (my oscar) ... But the cichlid area is normally pretty quiet and carbon is more common in community tanks thats why I posted here ...

Thanks so much for the info ... much appreciated !!

Regards,
Richard

 

[ajs2294]

I'm sure plenty of people use carbon with their chiclids. Personally I choose not to use carbon in any of my tanks as from what ive read and heard it really doesn't last long and it can take out things you need. But if you are needing sparkling clean water in a oscar tank its probably your best bet, much better than adding silly chemicals

 

[cocopopz]

I use a Purigen filtration pouch, API do a similar one but the Pruigen lasts alot longer (up to six months). Its just a micron sock full of a white powder that you put in a high flow area of your filter. It will turn the most dirty tank clear in the mater of hours. You can also clean it and reactivate it. I also use a carbon bag aswell.