Fluval 2-plus Filter - What Are The Carbon Pads In This Set-up?

[Kaidonni]

Because it looks likely I'll be dosing my fish tank with Levamisole or another anti-biotic, I need to be prepared to remove the carbon filters so the medicine isn't all sucked out of the water too soon. However, I'm a little confused by what part of the Fluval 2-plus filter pads are considered carbon pads. My filter has three sponges, the one in the middle being a polyester wool pad that is replaced every four or so weeks, the other two foam pads rarely ever being replaced (only replaced one since 2009). Now, obviously I don't remove them all - that'll be very bad for the fish, since they need something that gets rid of ammonia and nitrites - but is it the middle sponge, the polyester wool one? My two other sponges (the foam pads) are not the black carbon pads that are available for this size filter (which I have previously assumed are for specific purposes, such as removing medicine, etc, and not general use).

 

[the_lock_man]

It sounds like you don't have a carbon filter in there - which is fine, you don't need one on an ongoing basis - you need to invest in a pack of these to remove the medication once it's finished. The polyester wool pads (these) don't have any carbon in them at all.

 

[MBOU]

Lock sounds like he has it right

With the 2+ filters, you dont *have* to have carbon, if you did, you would put it in next to/instead of the polyester filter

 

[Kaidonni]

Phew, thanks for the replies. I was worried on how to approach medication, as removing filter pads completely sounds very risky indeed, even for a short period of time.

Here's a link to the two foam pads: http://uk.hagen.com/Aquatic/Media-Inserts/Internal/A182

 

[msasa19]

yeah i have that filter, no carbon

 

[snazy]

What do you mean no carbon pads in the Fluvals? They come with two carbon/wool sponge combo positioned in the two outside baskets next to the foam pads. It's the one that is black on one side and white on the other but if the filter has been running for a long time I doubt it there's much carbon left. I don't remove mine at all after setup and they serve very well as an additional surface for bacteria once the carbon wears off.

 

[Kaidonni]

No, no carbon in this one - no black padding. My new foam pads (unused) aren't half black either.

 

[MBOU]

Snazy, you are thinking of the U series filter U2 not the series before, the 2+

 

[snazy]

Snazy, you are thinking of the U series filter

U2 not the series before, the 2+

Yeah, I guess