Purigen

[The Duke]

I have just put a bag in my filter for the first time. Running a tetratec ex1200. I have taken all the carbon filter media out so left with a void now where this used to be. Has anyone else done this and what would be recommended to replace the carbon media? Thanks

 

[elmo666]

A whole host of filter media is available, depends what your specific needs are. Was there a particular reason for removing the carbon, or did you just tire of changing it? Fine filter wool will polish water. Ceramic media or splintered glass will improve biological filtration. Resin impregnated media such as poly-filter will do a similar job to carbon but alot more effectively. The other thing to consider is what is already in there and what you keep. For instance, in the good old days discus keepers used to filter through peat. So to some up, each filter should be set-up to meet the needs of the tank. Maybe work backwards from your fishes needs, look at whats in there and make changes based on these two considerations.

 

[The Duke]

Thanks for the advice. I have read a lot of people believe the carbon media is not really required and if dosing the tank with plant ferts the carbon would actually take the ferts out of the water? This applies to any medicines used when the instructions are usually to remove the carbon filter. I will see how it goes for now and replace the filter if required.

 

[elmo666]

Carbon is a curious beast. Yes it does remove alot of undesirable substances but it is not selective. The reason it is removed during dosing of meds is, as you say because it removes them. I have also heard that in some cases medications can reult in the carbon dumping everything it has absorbed back into the tank. Not good. There is nothing better to increase a filters efficiency than to add some more media for the bacteria to colonise Boi-balls, ceramic rings, and so on all do this without decreasing the flow too noticably, so I wood be making use of the free space.