Filter Question

[AndreaC]

After reading some posts on here it has come clear that carbon in filters is useless. Ok ive only just learnt this over my many years of fish keeping lol. If carbon is left in a long time, can it cause damage?? Ive been trying to learn more and read that eventualy it can leak poisons into the water How true that is I dont know.

On my tropical tank I have an internal clearseall 900L filter, it contains a sponge and plasic container with a net bag in and some like charcoaly stones, im assumning thats the carbon??? If so Its time for me to remove it. So is the filter ok to use with just sponges?? or is there something else I can/should use in the place that carbon was as it will leave a big gap. If I add another sponge where do I get it from, any pet store? How about adding filter wool instead though ive heard that clogs up real fast and with past use with it it slowed my filter flow right down.

 

[andywg]

It is very unlikely the carbon will do any damage by being left in. It is just occupying space that could be better used by other media, that is all.

You can use what ever you want. filter floss will get clogged quickly, but that is becuase it is so efficient at mechanically removing waste. If you don't mind rinsing the filter floss out (once or twice a week) then it will help remove detritus before it can begin breaking down into nitrogenous waste.