Alternative To Carbon?

[Milady]

Hi everyone!
 
I'm new to this forum, and am posting this question on behalf of my dad...
 
Today he got a second-hand tank from someone he knows, already setup with goldfish, which he says he'll keep. (He's kept goldies in an outdoor pond before, but this will be the first time he keeps them inside the house.)
Awhile ago before getting the fish tank, we went to a LFS to look around (just for fun), and when we got to talking to one of the salespeople, they said that there was an alternative to using carbon that was better because it didn't soak up any medicines... My dad's just wondering what this is? (At the time we forgot to ask what is was called, and now after some consideration I think it's actually better to ask on here so that he doesn't get conned into buying something that's not worth buying.)
 
The filter my dad has is a Fluval 404, which also has ammonia rocks in the setup.
 
I've tried looking around on the internet, to see if I can figure out what this carbon alternative is, but alas I can't find anything... any and all help would be great, thanks!

 

[Discuslove]

You can use ceramic noodles.
http/store.cityfarmers.com.au/aqua-one-bionood-ceramic-noodles-600g.html?___store=default.
 
I prefer to only use carbon when I have finished healing a sick fish and put it in the filter to get rid of any chemicals left over.

 

[levahe]

It might be purigen, that's the only thing I can think of

 

[DrRob]

Although I wouldn't trust purigen with medications.

 

[KirkyArcher]

A LFS salesperson could have tried to sell you anything, Seachem Purigen, Fluval Clear Max, Aquael Zeomax, Aquaone Zeolite, all filtration additives.

 

[Milady]

Okay, thanks everyone! - I'll look into the Seachem Purigen, Fluval Clear Max, Aquael Zeomax and Aquaone Zeolite, and see if I can figure out if they are what we are after.

 

[DrRob]

Ahh, now that's a different question.
 
To be honest, ammonia rocks are dangerous, they absorb to a point, starving the filter bacteria, then stop working suddenly, which creates a toxic brew. They also start releasing ammonia if they encounter salt.
 
Generally, the best thing to put in a filter is something to hold bacteria, that doesn't block easily, and something to take the lumps out. Cheapest, and easiest, which the fish shop won't make any money on but will be wonderful for you, is simple foam. It works very well and does the job. If you want to go complex get some ceramic media.
 
After that there are all sorts of chemicals and carbons and such like. If you take a look at the journals of the complex tanks you'll see that most of the more experienced don't use chemical based treatments unless they're doing it for a reason.