Please Explain For Me , What Carbon Does

[Aquaman187]

What does carbon do in an aquarium I know it's in the filter cartridge but that's it. And if so y can't I just replace the carbon inside the filter cartridge and not the whole cartridge.

 

[fishprotector]

Removes medications, bogwood tannins and impurities from the water. You do not need it in all the time and are best of not doing as unless you replace it regularly which is expensive, then it leaks back into the water. But in answer to your question yes if you can open the cartridge then you can replace the inner bits.

 

[Jayladd]

Carbon helps to remove heavy metals, bad odour, medicines and discolourants in the water.

A good dechlorinator removes heavy metals though and bogwood can be soaked to remove most of the tannins which discolour the water.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

then it leaks back into the water.

Common myth the ph swing would kill the fish lonf before anything could leech back in

 

[Aquaman187]

I just want really clear water that smells good but I always see like really really tiny specs in the water I thought adding carbon would help.

 

[fishprotector]

Have you got any fine filter wool in your filter? That will polish the water and get rid of the bits you talk about.

 

[OldMan47]

Carbon is an adsorber that removes things by simply attracting them to the rather large surface of the media, it will do nothing to remove small particulate. Particulate is removed by very fine filter media like a "polishing pad". A little filter wool formed into a pad and in the water flow path in the filter will do wonders for clarity.

 

[KrazyKuhli]

If you dont want the carbon tip it out and cut some fine 'polishing' pads to fit the cage and put it in....if you want carbon later on you can get 'netbags' with it in and stitch some thread into it and hang it in the tank....