Filter Question

[SchottayB]

I have a built in filter in my fish tank and i'm just wondering how oftern should you change the active carbon is it? (The white things with holes through them) Sorry can't think of the name!!

Do you replace all of it, or some of it?

Thankyou

 

[SchottayB]

Anyone know please?

 

[minxfishy]

The white rings (often called bio rings, ceramic media), not sponges, are not carbon, they are where your biological bacteria grow and never need changing, unless of course they start to break up, which is unlikely.

Carbon is usually a black sponge, which you dont need in an aquarium unless you need to remove medication.

White floss (like sponge) can be changed weekly/monthly/as needed as its used to remove the small particles in the water to leave the water polished looking.

 

[SchottayB]

Thankyou!

I have tanis from wood in my tank... I have carbon that goes into a bag... but I have no where in my filter to put it?

My filter is built into the fish tank at the top/back

Where could I put it?

 

[minxfishy]

Yep biomax is one name for it, it doesnt need changing, occassionally you can wash some out in old tank water (never tap water), but its were the best biological bacteria grow. It shouldnt need replacing.

You dont need carbon in the tank, unless you want to remove meds, carbon can be useful to remove stains, like tannins from wood etc, but water changes are just as effective. If you want to add some, its only useful for a few days anyway, but you could remove some biomax and put some carbon in, but you will be loosing some of the beneficial bacteria which you need.

Just to add, tannins are not harmful in anyway, some fish actually appreciate them, and they will go eventually with water changes.

 

[SchottayB]

Well ive had tanis in the wood now for about 3 months, but it's hardly noticable now to be honest... just done my weekly water change and it's crystal clear, it's always about a week or just over when it starts going dirty looking again.

Like you said, if it doesnt harm anything, why bother messing about

I'll leave it and take the carbon back today, thankyou!

 

[minxfishy]

The wood can leech for years, I like the tannings, they keep my ph lower and the fish seem to appreciate it, carbon is just a waste of money really, unless you specifically need it after medicating the tank, then its used to remove the extra meds. Save yourself some money and do an extra w/c if you dont like the look.