Carbon Filter or no Carbon Filter

[chishnfips]

Whats the deal with carbon filters, I was speaking to a guy at my lfs and he seemed to think that you should have a carbon filter in all the time unless you are medicating, but I have also heard that you should only put it in for a couple of weeks after medicating and then take it out to replace it with a normal filter.

Can anyone help me on this one. basically I want to know is it better to have carbon or not?

 

[OohFeeshy]

I don't know, but no offense if he's right, he's probably trying to sell you one.

 

[chishnfips]

Aye I know I just blanked him, but he got me confused.

 

[OohFeeshy]

I don't think it's nessecary, my filter desn't have one. I think if you DO have one, you need to remove it before medicating. Or something.....

 

[sylvia]

I don't use carbon - ever. It's ok to put it in after you're done medicating as it takes out the meds but other than that it's pretty useless. Even with taking out the meds, it's not necessary - most meds are biodegradable so break down after some time. With some water changes, you can get rid of them naturaly. The carbon only lasts for a few weeks anyway so you'd need to replace it every couple of weeks if you wanted it to actualy have an effect on your tank. It's also bad for plants cause it takes out certain chemicals they need to grow. Lastly, carbon takes up space - space you could use to encourage the growth of more beneficial bacteria by putting in a sponge or similarly designed filter media.

 

[chishnfips]

yeh, I have heard that, I think he was just trying to flog one, my tank seems to be fine without it anyway.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Well, IMO, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. End of story.

 

[ddm18]

Just to play devils advocate briefly:

1) Surely the beneficial bacteria can also grow on carbon, it's pretty small, so surely makes a pretty good biological filter...?

2) I use it sometimes and it definitely makes a difference in the clearness of the water. With carbon the water is crystal clear, without it it's a slight yellow-y colour (which is normal for mature water, I understand).

The reason I don't always use it (other than when I'm using meds) is because I'm indecisive to ridiculous proportions, and I sometimes decide that I prefer the more natural yellow-y colour, and sometimes I prefer my water crystal clear. As far as I can tell, the fish have never really noticed either way. I certainly haven't noticed any trends with illness/deaths etc.

 

[BobK]

If you practice good tank maintenance you shouldn't need carbon under most circumstances. Yes carbon can act as a host for beneficial bacteria but since carbon's effectiveness is only a couple of weeks you're really not going to get much biological activity in that time. Now, if you leave carbon in long-term you'lll get that activity but you'll also leach back into the water whatever the carbon absorbed. That said, if you don't mind the cost and inconvenience of changing the carbon every 2-4 weeks then absolutely use it because, like someone mentioned, it really helps to keep the water clear and eliminates odors.

I think carbon gets a bad reputation. It is very useful in certain situations. The problem is most people don't like the added expense or the added work. If you're not going to change the carbon when you should it can be detrimental to your tank. Hope this helps.

 

[yvez9]

Carbon just removes some particles from water, including meds.
it will clear up your water but it will only last a few weeks, after which you must replace it if you want the effects to go on.

I use Seachem Purigen myself. It removes a lot more particles than carbon without removing iron, which is necessary for plants to grow. Also, it lasts a good 6 months after which you need to dip it for a day in a bleach solution and then rinse it thoroughly and voila, it is regenerated.

It is a little expensive but my water has never been so clear, it's even clearer than tap water!

 

[BobK]

Seachem sounds interesting. I'm gonna check it out now. It would easily fit in my media containers in my Emperor 400.

 

[chishnfips]

Just to play devils advocate briefly:

1) Surely the beneficial bacteria can also grow on carbon, it's pretty small, so surely makes a pretty good biological filter...?

2) I use it sometimes and it definitely makes a difference in the clearness of the water. With carbon the water is crystal clear, without it it's a slight yellow-y colour (which is normal for mature water, I understand).

The reason I don't always use it (other than when I'm using meds) is because I'm indecisive to ridiculous proportions, and I sometimes decide that I prefer the more natural yellow-y colour, and sometimes I prefer my water crystal clear. As far as I can tell, the fish have never really noticed either way. I certainly haven't noticed any trends with illness/deaths etc.

I have noticed the colouration of the water too, but would prefer it to be crystal clear

 

[chishnfips]

Carbon just removes some particles from water, including meds.
it will clear up your water but it will only last a few weeks, after which you must replace it if you want the effects to go on.

I use Seachem Purigen myself. It removes a lot more particles than carbon without removing iron, which is necessary for plants to grow. Also, it lasts a good 6 months after which you need to dip it for a day in a bleach solution and then rinse it thoroughly and voila, it is regenerated.

It is a little expensive but my water has never been so clear, it's even clearer than tap water!

I have a fluval 2, would that seachem fit into that filter, it sounds like it does the job well. Is it just like a piece of sponge or something.

 

[BobK]

I just looked it up. It's granular like carbon. I already looked it up and I'm unsure about recharging. I read the explanation but it wasn't too clear to me on how much dechlorinator is needed to remove the bleach and the whole thing about needing to add a buffer to prevent a ph spike. Otherwise it sounds like a great product. I suppose the folks at the lfs could clear it up though.

 

[chishnfips]

yeh cheers, I looked it up but it was on an american site, I will ask my lfs.