Activated carbon

[vantgE]

I use it all the time and definately notice as soon as it starts wearing out would never go without it but it is anoying to change avery two three weeks if you don't have a hob filter

 

[Teelie]

Only use it for removing medication from aquariums and that's rare, even when I get new fish which isn't too often.

 

[Fish Buddy]

I used Purigen

What is Purigen and where do you get it yvez9?

 

[CFC]

I never use carbon in any of my filters, it serves no purpose in a well maintained biologically mature tank.

The only media that is needed is something to trap fine particals of debrie as the water flows through it (floss or sponge) and somewhere for the bacteria to live, usually a sponge (foam) or a more high tech media like sphintered glass beads or ceramic tubes. In some cases there may be a need for a nitrate adsorbing media too, i use one (KENT nitrate sponge granuals) on the tank with my ray to keep the nitrates down to a reasonable level since the tapwater here has high ammounts.
Carbon can be used to remove chemicals such as medications from the water but IMO is unnessesary as water changes will have the same effect.

 

[Teelie]

As of today, I also use it to help remove tannins from the water. I added a huge chunk of wood to one of my tanks and it's slightly discolored now. Carbon ought to help remove it.

 

[Dwarfs]

I only use it to get medicine out of a quarantine tank

 

[steelhealr]

Thought I'd resurrect this old post, although, the poll didn't survive the upgrade in the website. Been carbonless since the start of this post...no undue ill effects. FWIW. SH

 

[IMCL85]

Only use it for a week when setting up my new tank since it lost its effect very quickly. Other then that only removing medicine I will use it again. But generally not needed in ur filter all the time. Save those space for more sponge instead.

 

[Soaup]

I use the carbon in my aqua clear filters, Along with the foam and ammono rid, I dont see the Pro's and Cons of this can anyone elaborate?

 

[steelhealr]

Pros....removes medications rapidly from a system after therapy is done (eg, malechite green for ich); helps clean aquarium water from tannins leached out of bogwood when newly added

Cons....excess cost to the aquarium owner for having to replace it monthy; if initially not rinsed well, dust storms in the tank; reportedly may bind trace elements.

I got tired of rinsing my sponge from fish poo so I use a thin layer of filter fiber and just toss it out with weekly maintenance. A whole bag lasts months. I never replace my ceramic beads. I never use anything that binds ammonia since a cycled tank with regular water changes shouldn't have any ammonia detectable. SH

 

[illusion54]

Too much cost for me, i just use the sponge and water treatment combo. Every canister in my fluval has a sponge,

 

[Griz]

I've never needed to use it. I have an old Aquaclear 200 and use a nylon bag filled with peat, sandwiched between two sponges.

 

[steelhealr]

It's just interesting how all filters are supplied with activated carbon, recommend using it and then recommend changing it quite frequently. The same with the ceramics. If you think about it, why would you want to change it every three months if it gets crammed with the very bacteria that you want in your tank. SH