Carbon

[akukny88]

Is there a cheaper way to get carbon? Those from the elfs are quite expensive. Thanks

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

As far as i am aware there isn't any other way to get carbon filter sponges any cheaper than the ones sold in lfs, but either way they are worth it if you are trying to quickly remove meds from the tank- there isn't really any other reason to have them in your filter other than that though.

 

[mrOverstocknewbie]

As said above, you don't need them unless you are removing meds. but some kind of media for beneficial bacteria is needed. Sponge &/or filter floss are my choices. What kind of filter do you use?

 

[Lynden]

they are worth it if you are trying to quickly remove meds from the tank- there isn't really any other reason to have them in your filter other than that though.

Carbon removes chemicals from the tank, and will make the water clearer, as well as removing many types of poisons, such as soft coral toxin in marine tanks. It can be a lifesaver.

-Lynden

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

they are worth it if you are trying to quickly remove meds from the tank- there isn't really any other reason to have them in your filter other than that though.

Carbon removes chemicals from the tank, and will make the water clearer, as well as removing many types of poisons, such as soft coral toxin in marine tanks. It can be a lifesaver.

-Lynden

But to have them constantly in the filter though isn't nesarsary, they are good at removing chemicals like meds as i have said, but carbon filter sponges only work for a certain amount of time and knackered out ones will actually leak out the chemicals they have absorbed over time back into the tank, which can be a disaster.

 

[hoarp001]

Its probably not a good idea to use other stuff in the tank. Charcoal has a lot of carbon in, and activated charcoal is used to absorb odours and stuff. Although its probbaly not a good idea to use anything other than proper fishy carbon...

Better 6 quid on some carbony foam than afew quid on some charcoal and end up with black water and dead fish...

 

[Lynden]

they are worth it if you are trying to quickly remove meds from the tank- there isn't really any other reason to have them in your filter other than that though.

Carbon removes chemicals from the tank, and will make the water clearer, as well as removing many types of poisons, such as soft coral toxin in marine tanks. It can be a lifesaver.

-Lynden

But to have them constantly in the filter though isn't nesarsary, they are good at removing chemicals like meds as i have said, but carbon filter sponges only work for a certain amount of time and knackered out ones will actually leak out the chemicals they have absorbed over time back into the tank, which can be a disaster.

Ahh, I see.

 

[Fella]

Is there a cheaper way to get carbon? Those from the elfs are quite expensive. Thanks

Those elfs always rip me off too.






Sorry, couldn;t resist. As with regards to carbon, it's not essential, you don't absolutely, positively NEED to use it, but if you do use it, try looking for giant pond size pads, buy those, and cut them up small to fit your filter. I do this with filter wool, saves a fortune.

 

[Boids-n-more]

I would save the carbon for a rainy day in the tank and use some bio media in its place. if your unfortanate for your tank to get sick and you have to medicate then after the meds are done then put carbon in your filter to remove the meds. If you use bio media in its place and you get another tank then you already have some seeded media for the new tank too. Just something to kick around.

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Is there a cheaper way to get carbon? Those from the elfs are quite expensive. Thanks

Those elfs always rip me off too.


Especially at Christmas Time

 

[Coomon10]

Q1. Is there a danger involved in not using carbon to remove medication i.e. waiting for the cumulative affect of water changes to remove the med?
Q2. Since the carbon has a life span, is this continuous or can you use for a few days to remove med, then take out, use again, etc, etc

TIA

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Q1. Is there a danger involved in not using carbon to remove medication i.e. waiting for the cumulative affect of water changes to remove the med?
Q2. Since the carbon has a life span, is this continuous or can you use for a few days to remove med, then take out, use again, etc, etc

TIA

a. Using water changes to remove meds is fine, but some meds are not advised mixed together so when someone is treating two separate problems in their tank, they use carbon to quickly rid the tank of one med so they can start using the other almost straight away.
Some meds can also be particually stressful for fish, so some people prefer to move them ASAP. I mostly use water changes to remove meds in my tank, although i occasionally use carbon as well.
b. I'm not totally sure on this, but i personally only have the carbon in the filter when i need it and take it out afterwards when its done its job (it only takes a couple of days for carbon to remove meds usually).
I have read that the lifespan of carbon is around 6months, although i suppose there are many factors to take into consideration like how often it has been used etc.

 

[Coomon10]

Also, how do people with quarantine/hospital tanks remove medication from the water? I have a very small filter in my quarantine tank and therefore no place for a carbon sponge...? Is it just a few 50% water changes?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Also, how do people with quarantine/hospital tanks remove medication from the water? I have a very small filter in my quarantine tank and therefore no place for a carbon sponge...? Is it just a few 50% water changes?

A few 50% water changes should be fine, fluval filters also come with a whole range of carbon sponges made to fit them as well, you could try buying a small filter and just having carbon sponges in it which could work too .

If you are about to stop using your quarentine/hospital tank because you have no fish that need it, you can transfer its filter to your main tank and do a 100% water change in the tank.
The bennificial bacteria will not be lost as the large bulk of it is in the filters sponges, so it will survive fine as long as you transfer the filter to a tank of yours with fish in to supple it with the ammonia and waste the bacteria needs to survive and then just return it back to the quarentine tank when you next need the quarentine/hospital tank .

As long as you keep your quarentine/hospital tanks filter cycled in some way or another or can quickly clone the bacteria needed to cycle it in case of emergency and the hospital/quarentine tank does not get a large build up of different meds over time, thats the main thing .