Carbon In A Filter

[m1lky12]

In the middle of a new tank set up, tanks been up and running for around 3 weeks now and whilst putting the filter together noticed that it included a bag of carbon for one of the compartments.

Basically what does it actually do and does it have any benefits or drawbacks for the fish and cycling process?

 

[Peter C]

carbon gets rid of a LOT of things

clears your water, removes stuff that shudnt be in the water

its not only used in aquariums either, its in gas masks, those suite ya see on films with nuclear attacks, they have carbon in as it absorbs gasses etc

bit of useless info for ya

 

[fluttermoth]

Actually there's not much that carbon does remove; it will take out tannins, traces of medications and chlorine (but as you should be using a dechlorinator, that's not much use!), so it has it's uses, but it will not remove ammonia, nitrite or nitrate.

Most people keep some handy in the cupboard for the things it is good for, but they don't use it all the time (I don't).

 

[big_sw2000]

As Fluttermouth saiz. I use it not to often. The only benifit i really see, it it will make the water exxtra crystal clear for about a week.

Steve

 

[m1lky12]

Cheers guys, pretty mixed views and was the same sort of things being said that I saw elsewhere. I guess seeing as theirs a compartment in the filter for it it might aswell stay then!

 

[Zante]

Mmm... I wouldn't keep it in the filter too long. Once it is saturated with all the nasties it has absorbed, it will start leeching them back in the water.

As fluttermoth said, it should be used only when you want to scrub medication and similar chemicals from the water, then removed.

 

[m1lky12]

Mmm... I wouldn't keep it in the filter too long. Once it is saturated with all the nasties it has absorbed, it will start leeching them back in the water.

As fluttermoth said, it should be used only when you want to scrub medication and similar chemicals from the water, then removed.

Ahh right, how long generally would it take before it saturates?

 

[Bugdozer]

Once it is saturated with all the nasties it has absorbed, it will start leeching them back in the water.

I asked already for someone to post any evidence that this happens in normal aquarium conditions, and so far, there's been no response. Why would it suddenly start letting go of things? Sure, if it's saturated it won't adsorb (NOT absorb) any more, but why would the process spontaneously reverse? I remain sceptical of this until data is provided.

 

[Peter C]

Once it is saturated with all the nasties it has absorbed, it will start leeching them back in the water.

I asked already for someone to post any evidence that this happens in normal aquarium conditions, and so far, there's been no response. Why would it suddenly start letting go of things? Sure, if it's saturated it won't adsorb (NOT absorb) any more, but why would the process spontaneously reverse? I remain sceptical of this until data is provided.

Was thinking that myself

 

[Essjay]

I think I'll just link to this thread, saves me typing it all:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/250164-activated-carbon/

 

[Bugdozer]

That's good info, thanks for the link. It makes sense in that context.

 

[Tuxyu3]

I have heard that carbon leaches things into the water when an incredibly extreme ph change occurs (when I say extreme I mean it, around 7 or 8 units) this only really happens under industrial conditions and would probably kill fish anyway so it doesn't matter too much.
I personally would say better safe than sorry though and if you really need to use it change regularly.

Oh and by the way don't quote me on this or take it as automatic truth, just some things I read/heard and thought I would share.

 

[m1lky12]

Thanks for the link, read a bit of it before I got a headache from all the science! Just read in my manuel that came with the tank that the bags of carbon should be replaced every 6-8 weeks, so looks like when I replace my current bags that I'll use them sparingly and just keep them incase.

 

[Zante]

I don't have data, I will ask my father next time I go and visit my parents (if I can remember). He's now retired but he was an engineer in the chemical industry.

Basically two separate processes happen:
1 the carbon starts to break down physically. The more chemicals it absorbs the more it breaks down, until, when saturated, the released chemicals become more than the absorbed ones
2 the carbon reacts with the absorbed chemicals producing compounds that are more complex and bigger molecules, that might not be withheld by the carbon itself

I'll try and ask him for sources I can post here to confirm this (if I remember )

Ah... Got in late to see the link...

That explanation I guess Is more relevant to the aquariums, I guess...