Carbon sponge

[platypus]

I have a Juwel Rekord aquarium/filter. When we got it it came with a carbon sponge, which we were told to change once a month. However I've read on here that this is a load of codswallop and you don't need a carbon sponge at all. So should I just take it out? And if I remove it, do I need to replace it with something else instead or will the rest of my filter take care of it?



Thanks!

 

[Alien Anna]

I always take the carbon out unless I'm using it for some specific purpose (like removing medications) and I keep it with my medicines. Instead, I stuff a wad of filter wool between sponges - just make sure it doesn't get wound round your powerhead. I also drop the sponge bit off a sponge filter in there - in case of emergencies, so its already matured.

 

[platypus]

Thanks AA!

In that case I think I will put a new carbon sponge back in when I finish my ich treatment, and then pick up some filter wool from my LFS next time I'm there.

 

[George Farmer]

I have a Juwel too. I used to use the carbon when I used tap water as it removes some heavy metals and other pollutants that a de-chlorinator cannot. I now use RO water so I have removed the carbon and added another blue coarse sponge, this adds to the surface area beneficial bacteria can live. Also if you use fertiliser for plants then carbon will remove that too.

 

[gadazobe]

I also have a jewel rekord and stopped using carbon long long ago. BTW, I don't think a carbon sponge will remove heavy metals from water. For that you need a dechlorinator that also removes chloramine (sp?) and heavy metals. Waterlife do a great one called Haloex.

 

[platypus]

Thanks for the tip - I have Haloex too!

Thanks v much to all of you for your advice - this forum introduced me to Waterlife products and recommended Protozin to me last week when I had ich in my tank. I'm happy to report I did my final (fingers crossed) treatment last night and my fish are all happy and whizzing about the tank and are absolutlely ravenous! So yay!