No Carbon?

[LeeAberdeen]

Just read the same advice in a couple of places - namely that carbon is only necessary in a filter after medicating. But is that correct? As the carbon needs replacing at least once a month, that would be a convenient excuse to get rid of it. What would I replace it with that would improve my filtration in case that is correct?
 
Any suggestions, confirmations, much appreciated.

 

[KirkyArcher]

Yep carbon (chemical filtration) isn't needed, all you need is mechanical and biological filtration as media both of which can be obtained with simple sponges. cleaned when they get clogged up in either old tank water or dechlorinated water

 

[LeeAberdeen]

Yep carbon (chemical filtration) isn't needed, all you need is mechanical and biological filtration as media both of which can be obtained with simple sponges. cleaned when they get clogged up in either old tank water or dechlorinated water

 
Ah, cheers. That will save a lot of hassle. Just wondered if there's something I could put in there to aid the filtration process even further after taking the carbon out?

 

[fluttermoth]

Depends on your set up. If you have big, messy fish, you'd be best off with something like ceramic rings, which don't clog. For smaller fish, coarse sponge is as good anything else, tbh.

 

[KirkyArcher]

Filter floss can be used for enhanced mechanical filtration it will help clear debris from the water, ceramic types of media are good in external type filters hang on back HOB filters and larger internal filters, but as I said sponges on there own (and you can get them in differing density to remove smaller debris) do a good job of looking after water conditions in terms of removing ammonia and nitrites

 

[LeeAberdeen]

Depends on your set up. If you have big, messy fish, you'd be best off with something like ceramic rings, which don't clog. For smaller fish, coarse sponge is as good anything else, tbh.

 
Big and very messy, because it's going to be a 270-litre cichlid tank after it's cycled, so it'll be overstocked with 20 fish minimum, possibly up to 30.
 
The biological part of the filter already uses the ceramic rings, so should I just turf the carbon out and double up on the biomax?
 
Thanks for your reply, btw.

Filter floss can be used for enhanced mechanical filtration it will help clear debris from the water, ceramic types of media are good in external type filters hang on back HOB filters and larger internal filters, but as I said sponges on there own (and you can get them in differing density to remove smaller debris) do a good job of looking after water conditions in terms of removing ammonia and nitrites

 
Thanks. It's an external but, as mentioned in the reply above, it already has ceramic rings (biomax) in the top section. I'm wondering if it's preferable to double up on the biomax or if there's something else on the market that's going to improve my water more?

 

[KirkyArcher]

Biohome mini ultra gets my vote for additional ceramic media, http/www.ebay.co.uk/sch/tynevalleyaquatics/m.html?item=320876900379&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&_trksid=p4340.l2562 Mine is actually doing what the retailer says it does and is now keeping nitrates down and only maxes at 20ppm now that its been in use for several months. What filter are you using, I have three trays in my external bottom one is all mechanical in the form of sponges and the top two full of this Biohome stuff.

 

[LeeAberdeen]

Biohome mini ultra gets my vote for additional ceramic media, http/www.ebay.co.uk/sch/tynevalleyaquatics/m.html?item=320876900379&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&_trksid=p4340.l2562 Mine is actually doing what the retailer says it does and is now keeping nitrates down and only maxes at 20ppm now that its been in use for several months. What filter are you using, I have three trays in my external bottom one is all mechanical in the form of sponges and the top two full of this Biohome stuff.

 
I've got the Fluval 305, so it's got six trays, two each on three levels. From memory, I think it's carbon in the bottom trays and biomax in the top four.

 

[Alasse]

Depends on the setup if carbon is used, i use it in my fry tanks to keep the water 'sweet', i change is every fortnight.
 
I also have it in my goldfish tank, but it is well and truely exhausted (been in there for 2 yrs lol) So it now just another form of media like noodles etc

 

[KirkyArcher]

Chemical filtration (carbon) should be the last thing the water flows through before returning back to the tank, in your case LeeAberdeen where you currently have carbon you should see better results with a fine sponge such as Fluval biofoam, or purchase some pond filter foam and cut it to shape to fit your baskets. Having poor mechanical filtration prior to your ceramic bio media will just lead to it clogging up with dirt and it will be a less effective home to your nitrifying bacteria

 

[LeeAberdeen]

Chemical filtration (carbon) should be the last thing the water flows through before returning back to the tank, in your case LeeAberdeen where you currently have carbon you should see better results with a fine sponge such as Fluval biofoam, or purchase some pond filter foam and cut it to shape to fit your baskets. Having poor mechanical filtration prior to your ceramic bio media will just lead to it clogging up with dirt and it will be a less effective home to your nitrifying bacteria

 
Thanks for that advice. Sounds like that will help improve my water considerably in place of the carbon. Just been checking the stuff out online. So I should place that in the last two trays at the top where the carbon should've been, after the ceramic media, or instead place it before the biomax?

 

[KirkyArcher]

Nope. With your 305 water is piped down the side of the sponge cassette then drawn up from the bottom through all the trays,via the impeller pump, so to keep your biological media free from getting the pores blocked with gunk (these pores are where your nitrifying media take residence) you want all the mechanical filtration getting done 1st, so it's coarse foam in the vertical cassette medium foam (biofoam or similar in the bottom tray "both sides" in the case of your 305 with the option of a top layer of *filter floss, then the remaining two trays just fill with ceramics.
*If you use filter floss in a dirty tank IE highly stocked cichlid tank this will need either replacing or cleaning weekly*

 

[LeeAberdeen]

Thanks very much for the clear, succinct advice. Think I'll go with your suggestion, although the Purigen stuff mentioned above also sounds of interest. Should make my cichlids' lives better, and that's what these forums are all about. Cheers.