Carbon Filter Bags

[Gepetto]

I have recently set up a 40 gallon tropical fish tank. I'm in my 80's now.  I did have a few tanks in my youth. At that time we  re-used the charcoal in the filter set up washing it and by heating it in the oven. Is there any reason that I shouldn't  do that with the carbon bags in my filter set up which now includes a foam insert, an activated carbon bag and an Ammonia Remover insert? Thanks

 

[Mikey1]

i dont use carbon in any of my filters.....havnt for over 10 years
 
i would recommend ditching the carbon and amonia remover inserts....in their place put in more foam....as much as you possibly can

 

[kad191]

I'd watch out putting the carbon bags in the oven aswell, the bag may end up melting even at a low temp.

 

[DrRob]

Personally I'd lose the ammonia remover, your filter is supposed to do that anyway without needing anything that needs to be recharged. Carbon has it's place and some use it some don't, generally now it's for removing medications and for the higher tech planted tanks and marine systems, otherwise being felt an unnecessary complication and, as Mikey1 says, is sacrificed to get more biological media into the filter real estate. Otherwise filter manufacturers generally would quite like you to buy regular replacement media for filters, so they make recharging things difficult and the sealed bags and foam I wouldn't want to put to the test of an oven.
 
What's the filter in question? May help us to advise on what you can stuff in there to get the best results without spending a fortune on replacement media all the time.