Planted Tanks Not Liking Carbon?

[DiscusKeeper403]

my plants dont grow all that good, i got a liquid fert and a homemade co2 injector. i just heard that carbon isnt all that create for plants. one of my filters is a air pump and the other is a power filter with these pads i think have activated carbon.should i remove the pad and but in one of those dish scrubbers made of plastic or something like that? im pretty sure its carbon because inside there is this black stuff like rocks or charcoal or something like that.

Thanks,

Connor

 

[toxik]

Carbon will obsorb most if not all the additives you put into your tank. Removing the carbon will allow the plants to absorb the fertilizers. I removed it and I noticed everything grow twice as big.

Best thing to do is buy sheets of regular filter material and make your own filter pads and some kind of sponge or bio balls to create a area for bacteria to grow.

Basicaly you're throwing money down the drain by using ferts and carbon together. The carbon absorbs the ferts, causing the plants to not get them and also depleting the carbon faster and not allowing it to absorb the more harmful stuff.

 

[PaulasPets]

Only use carbon after using medication in your tank, the carbon will filter out all the meds after you are done treating your fish. Another use of carbon filtering is to clear up your water when your water is colored due to maybe some wood you have put in there.

Paula