Questions About Adding Carbon To The Filter

[MattM1124]

Ok, well I just got done treating my tank for ich and my question is about adding the carbon to help remove the meds.

I have a Tetra Whisper 40 power filter, the one that hangs over the side of the tank. In the filter there's the cartridge that I put those bacteria media rocks in to collect bacteria along with the sponge. I just added carbon into another cartridge and then put that one in the filter behind the other cartridge. Doing this though makes the water level in the filter higher and some of the water from the filter flows back into the tank before being filtered down the hole where the tube goes into the tank. If I turn the flow control knob backwards it drops the water level in the filter but it of course doesn't filter as well. I also used that malachite green to treat the ich. My questions:

1. Is there a better way for me to add the carbon? If not, would it be ok for me to leave the flow control knob turned backwards for about a week or so while the carbon works? Or should I just turn the flow control knob forward and allow some of the water from the filter to flow back into the tank down where the tube comes in? Which ways better? Also how long should I use the carbon, is a week long enough? Would it be ok for me to maybe float the cartridge with the carbon in it just in the tank or does it have to be in the filter to work properly? Or maybe I could float the carbon cartridge right outside of the filter (still in the tank) but right in front of the water flow? Just looking for the best way to use the carbon but not slow down the water flow from the filter.

2. The malachite green stuff turned my main cartridge with the bacteria media rocks in it turn blue. Should I change that bag by putting the bacteria media into another cartridge and then adding the new one back into the filter? If so, when should I do this? Also should I leave the old cartridge float in the tank for a week or so just to make sure the bacteria stays when I do decide to change cartridges?

3. Any water change schedule I should be following while trying to remove the meds? I did a 50% water change today.

Thanks in advance and I appreciate all answers and suggestions!

 

[Corleone]

You can do daily water changes to remove the meds without carbon - 50% a day, and after a week, the levels left will be negligible. However, the filter should be fine the way you describe, just shove the carbon in and let it run normally. A couple of my hanging filters spill similar to what you describe, but they still work good enough to keep the ammonia down. With carbon, I'd still do extra water changes - not daily, but at least do two instead of just one, and pay extra close attention to water stats, as many meds will make your water quality take a hit.

 

[OldMan47]

The low flows will not hurt your tank but will allow a little build up of floating solid bits in the water. Like Corleone said, a quick way to remove most of the meds would be large daily water changes. 5 in a row at 50% should get your meds down to only about 3% of where they started (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32) so it won't take long to do it with water changes.