Carbon Question?

[proton]

Hi Guys, I just want to know is it necessary for me to have one? I have two spare left and how often to I have to change them? Can I recycle them? It's the Rio 240 that has them. I was thinking of replacing it with one of those normal blue filters, but they are not the same size.

 

[andyt_uk]

i've never used carbon filter, they can help remove some impurities that can accumilate in the water, but they also will neutralise most meds if you need to add them.
i thinks its a matter of personal preference see how your tank runs without them - if all is ok dont worry

if you do use them not sure about recycling them but i know they dont work after a short period anyway.

 

[juwelfan]

If you change them i think the advice is to do it once every 6 weeks. Ive just had to take mine out for a week cos i'm treating for Ich.
They are expensive so i can see why u mite wanna ditch them.

Also i know that the chemicals they remove get absorbed on to the surface of the carbon. But after a while they become saturated with chemicals and will stop absorbing. I wonder if its possible to soak them in clean hot water to allow the chemical to go bak into the water, hopefully increasing the lifespan of the pad.