Carbon Question

[Gilli]

Hi guys. I have an undergravel filter which has a carbon cartridge on each of the upvents. My question is how often should these be replaced?

I have read up on this on this forum and it says that these must be taken out if treating fish with medicine or it wont work. It also says that after a time the carbon becomes ineffective but that the bacteria growing onit will be benefitical to the tank. Does this mean I can leave the ones I have on indefinatly? And if I do take them off and not replace them will the undergravel filter still run ok without them on?

 

[Themuleous]

Over time the carbon does get exhausted and will then it stops removing tannins and pollutants, etc and therefore if you want to keep on removing such things the carbon does need replacing periodically, say every few weeks. You are correct in that it will have some beneficial bacteria on it however when using an undergravel filter the large majority of these bacteria will be in the gravel so it shouldn't be a problem changing the carbon The undergravel filter will work fine without carbon. FYI I dont use carbon on any of my tanks, its not essential

BTW have you though about 'upgrading' to an internal filter instead of the undergravel?

Sam

 

[Gilli]

Thank you for answering my question. Im new to all this and have just finished recycling my 3 ft tank after 6 weeks of patient waiting so im all excited!

I decided against the internal filter and opted for the undergravel because I think it makes the tank look more natural - those internal filters are very bulky and ugly. My son kept tropical fish years ago with the undergravel filter very successfully. I expect many people will say the other is better, but I intend to keep a close eye on the water quality and am using a quality liquid full test kit.....

So off to the shop to purchase my first fish! Going to start with 6 Danios and if all goes well add a couple more in a few weeks time - wish me luck!

 

[raptorrex]

I decided against the internal filter and opted for the undergravel because I think it makes the tank look more natural - those internal filters are very bulky and ugly. My son kept tropical fish years ago with the undergravel filter very successfully. I expect many people will say the other is better, but I intend to keep a close eye on the water quality and am using a quality liquid full test kit.....

So off to the shop to purchase my first fish! Going to start with 6 Danios and if all goes well add a couple more in a few weeks time - wish me luck!

not really sure that an external is better. but they are far easer to maintain and clean than GUF. and with modern bio media they tend to have a considerably greater surface area for bacteria to grow. all of these make them a much less invasive system, though it is true they do stick out like a sore thumb. you would be surprised how well the internals fit in once you have aquascaped your tank. for the future you my consider a small external or cannister filter, these have the advantage of being as unobtrusive as a UGF system, with the all the advantages if the internal filter.

as for carbon, i would remove it at once. even the cost saving is worth it. unless you are removing meds, it is really nothing more than a potential danger to your fish.