Carbon Filters

[Gary D]

Hello again,

I have just set up a new tank and have been in to my fishless cycle for about 1 week.

It is an Aqua One AR650T which has the trickle filtration system built in to the hood. This consists of 2 compartments, each with a layer of ceramic noodles, then a layer of sponge and then a cartridge type filter that contains carbon and is covered in a fine "wool" matting.

Now, as I have been browsing this and other forums, I have seen a number of comments that suggest the carbon filters are not necessary and should be removed.
Is this the case, and if so, why? What are they supposed to do? What would you suggest replacing them with?

I can understand the manufacturers putting them in - as they are a "consumable" and they will generate revenue from selling replacements. But surely they must think there is a need for them?

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.
Gary.

 

[jacko32]

you only need them for removing medication really all they do is remove impurities in the water ie ammonia and meds i suggest if your doing a fishless cycle using pure ammonia you should remove the carbon
you dont really need to replace it with anything just leave the empty space then when you use meds in future once the meds have worked you can put the carbon in for a few days to remove the exess meds

 

[Barlet]

Does it hurt to leave the carbon filter in if you're not using any meds?

 

[jacko32]

Does it hurt to leave the carbon filter in if you're not using any meds?

no but it will only work for a couple of weeks before it stops removing toxins

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

The carbon will also start to break down and break up into bits which will pass into your tank and make your water not look too great! I have removed mine and added extra ceramic tubes and use fine filter pads suppied by cheap ebay filter media seller Just tell 'em stoneagedinosaur sent you.

 

[Gary D]

Thanks for all of your help again

I have now removed the carbon cartridges.
I've replaced them with some extra ceramic noodles which were supposed to be "mature" media - so that should get things moving so to speak
I also bought some fine wool matting to go on top of the coarse sponge as well.

Cheers,
Gary.

 

[OldMan47]

If your noodles are indeed matured, you may well find that your cycle finishes in just a few days. I have not seen anything like mature noodles being sold here but your situation may be very different. Although the basics are the same all over the world, the things available in each location can be very different. I have used mature noodles to clone a filter before and it went very quickly, but my only source of mature noodles was my own filter on another tank.

 

[drobbyb]

As the others have said, the carbon containing inserts or cartridges are only really needed in a few situations, such as when removing medications, tannins, or other impurities like heavy metals.

I find it rather underhanded that these companies pass them off as needed when in fact they aren't essential at all.

 

[OldMan47]

Carbon does have a place in the maintenance of some tanks. If you have some driftwood or bogwood that is discoloring your water, the carbon can help remove the color. If you have a tank that has an offensive odor, the carbon can again help somewhat. The fact that I have no carbon in my filters does not mean that you should not. I rely on water changes for almost any problem that I have with my tanks. If my chemistry does not fall into reasonable ammonia or nitrite specs, I do a big water change. If I don't like the color of my water, I do a big water change. Yesterday, when I noticed some cloudiness in one tank, I did a big water change. Carbon may well have helped in many of these situations, but I find the added space for biological media more valuable in my own tank set ups. Please do not take up the idea that carbon is worthless as some would have you believe. It does indeed have a purpose although many of us do not often use it.

 

[Gary D]

Thanks OldMan47,

Some very interesting points there!
In fact, since I have removed the carbon filters, the water has gone very discoloured - a sort of greeny/brown We do have quite a large piece of Mopani wood in there which was soaked before it went in, but only in cold water. Now it is in 29 deg C water, it may be the tannins coming out?

The question is, as I am going through a fishless cycle, would you advise putting the carbon filters back in to clear the water or not?
Would I lose some of the beneficial bacteria by romoving them again once the water has cleared before I was completely cycled?

Am I worrying too much?

My concern about the water colour is that it will permanantly stain or discolour the gravel and the piece of rock we have in the tank - which was once nearly white.

Thanks,
Gary.

 

[drobbyb]

It very well could be the tannins leaching out of the wood. To put your mind at ease though, they are harmless to your fish, and in some instances, are encouraged.

To answer your question, it is up to personal taste. The tannins are not going to affect your cycle. It is true that some bacteria will colonize the carbon, but you probably won't see any difference. The point is that while carbon does have it's uses, it is by no means an essential item to add to your tank on an everyday basis. As long as you are willing to pay for the carbon, it isn't going to hurt to use it. I haven't used carbon in many years and my fish thrive and breed without it.