Sudden Ammonia Spike? 18 Month Old Tank

[Jezz]

Thanks Theres an airstone in there so i will turn it on throughout the day (only turn it on sometimes at the moment as the air pump hums loudly) will keep up with the water changes, is it a good idea to remove the carbon now before the bacteria colonizes fully onto it? Or just leave it?

 

[loraxchick]

repalcing the carbon now with a more "suitable" bacterial medium wouldnt be a bad idea. it is fresh uncolonized media right now. noodles and foam have greater surface area for colonization. when you leave carbon in for a time, it acts like gravel. some surface area but not as much as other media. depending on stocking, you want as much as possible. id replace with sponge media.
cheers.