How To Use Carbon

[nike12301]

I have a 10 gallon tank with some neon tetras in it. I have a bunch of tannin in the water due to some driftwood. I've been told activated carbon can sometimes get rid of the color. So I went out and bought some.

Here's the thing... how do I use it? Do I just put some in a sock and stuff it in the filter? That's the best idea I can come up with without having done this before.

How does everyone do this?

 

[three-fingers]

I usually just leave the tannins, the fish love them and I find a lot of fishes colours look better through tannins.

But if you really want rid of the tannins, yes, I usually use a filter bag, but ladies tights are just as good. Just stuff some carbon in there and put it in the filter so it comes last in the flow behind the other media (behind any sponge, floss or ceramic rings).

 

[england]

I usually just leave the tannins, the fish love them and I find a lot of fishes colours look better through tannins.

But if you really want rid of the tannins, yes, I usually use a filter bag, but ladies tights are just as good. hehe listen to him,he ment his old tights were just as good Just stuff some carbon in there and put it in the filter so it comes last in the flow behind the other media (behind any sponge, floss or ceramic rings).

If you buy the bigger tub of carbon it comes with the sock to add the carbon, but as said tannin's look good and fish seem to like it,ive never worried about tannin's.....However carbon becomes inactive very quick and if you have cichlids it could lead to HITH...Though never been proven alot of people including me beleive this to be the case...

 

[three-fingers]

hehe listen to him,he ment his old tights were just as good

 

[Shelby]

Sorry to highjack your thread here but, last in the media? Behind any sponges etc. My filter is loaded "stacked" not front to back but one on top of the other. I have an Aquaclear 200 filter. So does my carbon go on top or on bottom? Never thought to ask that question!

 

[erk628]

Sorry to highjack your thread here but, last in the media? Behind any sponges etc. My filter is loaded "stacked" not front to back but one on top of the other. I have an Aquaclear 200 filter. So does my carbon go on top or on bottom? Never thought to ask that question!

In your case it goes on top the water comes through the bottom goes through your sponges then goes through the carbon before it goes back out into the tank!

 

[raptorrex]

Sorry to highjack your thread here but, last in the media? Behind any sponges etc. My filter is loaded "stacked" not front to back but one on top of the other. I have an Aquaclear 200 filter. So does my carbon go on top or on bottom? Never thought to ask that question!

preferably, it does not go in at all. but last/on top. if you must.

 

[Tolak]

Neons are an Amazonian blackwater fish. Most all are wild caught, they will appreciate the tannins.

 

[Shelby]

I have tap water (city) and occasionally my water begins to look a little cloudy. If I put the carbon bag (it's really old not fresh carbon) back in it clears up withing an hour two tops. I did put on top of the other media

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with all the above comments, they're all good. Carbon only continues to do its job in the vast majority of typical situations for about 3 days max and then is ready to be tossed, which for many people means by the weekend. The neons will love the tannins but if you don't want the look, the things that will help most will be pulling the wood and doing a longer session of soaking it with periodic dousings with boiling water. Also, once its back in the tank, larger weekly water changes will keep the water more clear. Most of us only keep carbon around for optional use as our frequent water changes take away many of the old reasons that carbon was used for (and its money after all) but carbon is not a bad thing at all.

~~waterdrop~~