Activated Charcoal

[fenwoman]

Does anyone use this? Can it be put into an internal filter? I have an aquaflow4 which has 2 sections, each containing a spong filter.

 

[ASD]

Yes you can put it in your filter, activated charcoal or carbon is very good at removing toxins from the water. It also removes the staining that aged tanks often get. Just remember to remove it after around 4 weeks or in accordance with manufacturers instructions, as it can start to leach back all the absorbed toxins back into the water.

 

[fenwoman]

thanks for the info. So should I put it in place of one of the sponges?

 

[MHunt]

You might be able to put some in along with your existing media, depending on your filter. I wouldn't sacrifice your baterial filtration just to add activated carbon unless you have some meds you want to remove.

I would put it in a porus bag of some type to keep them together or you'll end up with it all over your filter, maybee in the tank itself. The end of a pair of tights or similar might do the trick. You can also get activated carbon filter pads that do the same thing.

 

[fenwoman]

thank you very much for the info. I will make a bag out of a bit of net curtain since I'm not a tights sort of girl More a wellies and thick socks person you see
I don't need it now particulary but went to lfs to satisfy a buying urge while my tank is still cycling, got some med's 'just in case' (no good needing them on a Sunday and the shops are shut, better to have everything here in case I ever need them) and some plants, and lfs mentioned it to another customer while I was eavesdropping. I forgot to ask about it then because my mind went on to other things. Only remembered when I got home. Just storing info for future reference.
I want to be absolutely sure that once I have the tank cycled and fish in it, I will be doing everything properly for the wellbeing of the fish.