Carbon Filter

[Luzi]

I've got a typical interpet filter, with one standard and one carbon cartridge. The carbon has been in for months and has a lot of bacteria on it, so i don't really want to remove it, but i need to treat the tank. Because it been in for so long, will the carbon have reacted?
If i need to take it out, how can i store it to keep the bacteria alive?
Thanks!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

active carbon only last a couple of weeks, i have never treated my tank so have left mine in to act as home from bacteria. On the other hand if you have used meds the carbon can leach back into tank. I would just remove it and replace it with a new one after the tank has been treated.

 

[Monty-2010]

I would remove it just in case, if you want to preserve some of the bacteria keep it in a bowl or something of old tank water and feed it a few fish flakes every day, and also give it a small water change every couple of days.