carbon/no carbon

[GrullaQuarters]

I recently got done treating ich in my tank. I lost my two favorite fish, the pictus catfish, to ich, while the others never had any spots. So, while I was treating the tank, I took the old filters out, and put fresh ones in, without the carbon in them as directed. What does the carbon actually do? I was thinking I would just leave these the way they are, and when time to change them again, just add the filters with carbon. I use 4 filter cartridges in my tank at once, as I have two filters in it, taking two cartridges each. Can I just leave these carbon-less filters in until it's time to change them?

What is the purpose of the carbon, anyway?

Thanks.

 

[Tolak]

Carbon removes any chemicals that may be in the water. That's why you don't want to run carbon when you are medicating a tank, and do want to after you are done medicating. I also run carbon on a new tank, or one that has just been cleaned out. It will remove any traces of chemicals from manufacturing or cleaning supplies.

You should be fine running without the carbon. None of my tanks run it unless new or done being medicated.


Tolak

 

[steelhealr]

Agree....carbonless. Here is a recent poll of mine when I had the same question. I am carbonless now. SH

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...ctivated+carbon

 

[GrullaQuarters]

Thank you for that input! Guess I learned something new today! I buy the white 'pouch' filters...whatever they are called. So when I buy these, they come with the packs of carbon. So what might I do? Seems to me switch filter media rather than keep buying the same and wasting the carbon. So I've got some, and will keep it on hand should I need it.

BUT, now do I want to get different filter cartridges? And what do I get? I obviously wouldn't need the ones I get since I wouldn't be using the carbon in them.

Thanks!

 

[steelhealr]

What kind of filter is it? SH

 

[GrullaQuarters]

I have the Top Fin power filters from Petsmart.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

if you do the bio wheel attachment modifcation, you wont need to use carbon often. i have a whole bunch of those little packets of carbon too, when my tank gets cloudy, i put it in pantyhose and put it behind the filter catridge. this is my filter

why do you use 2 filters anyways, is the 2nd one for biological filtration?

 

[GrullaQuarters]

I have no idea about a bio wheel, I intend to just keep the filters we have, and perhaps change the cartridges? I have two filters because I was unable to find a filter large enough for our tank at the LPS, so I just got two filters, that were for 40 gal. tanks. Also this way, I only change on filter's cartridges at a time, so the other filter still has all the good stuff in it.

Still hoping to get some advice....what about those blue, flossy ones? I actually have two of those, but don't use them. With those, don't you just rinse them off and put them back in? How does that work? Sure as heck would save me a nice chunk of change to use those rather than the disposable ones I use now.

Thanks!

 

[Dorkhedeos]

i meant 2 filter cartridges, you keep 2 in each filter?

 

[GrullaQuarters]

Yeah, I keep two cartridges in each filter...one on each side. Should I not be?

 

[wuvmybetta]

I have no idea about a bio wheel, I intend to just keep the filters we have, and perhaps change the cartridges? I have two filters because I was unable to find a filter large enough for our tank at the LPS, so I just got two filters, that were for 40 gal. tanks. Also this way, I only change on filter's cartridges at a time, so the other filter still has all the good stuff in it.

Still hoping to get some advice....what about those blue, flossy ones? I actually have two of those, but don't use them. With those, don't you just rinse them off and put them back in? How does that work? Sure as heck would save me a nice chunk of change to use those rather than the disposable ones I use now.

Thanks!

I use poly-fil pillow fluff as a floss. You can get a huge bag for less than 4.00 and it will last forever. Just wad it up and stuff it in,but be careful to keep it away from the propellar because sometimes it can get twisty,but not enough to stop your filter or anything. When filter cleaning time comes you can just rinse it out and when it gets old you just tear of a small piece and add it to new and voila!

 

[Dorkhedeos]

oh, you have the bigger models that have 2 catridge slots