To Carbon Or Not To Carbon?

[tomtomtom1230]

I'm in the process of setting up a new tank and my new filter's arrived today. It comes with porous carbon 'sachets' and carbon sponges pre loaded - like most filters. Since I'm planting a low-tech and low-light tank, should I or should I not use the carbon? I won't be dosing CO2 and I'll probably only in rare circumstances dose ferts to the tank. I will be using a sand/fine gravel substrate that's already been loaded with nutrients and that's about it really. It wont be particularly heavily planted either. Maybe about 50% of the substrate will have some form of plant in it.

 

[Cazgar]

From what I've learned here, you only need to use carbon to remove any medication you might've used in your tank.
For day to day use you don't need it

 

[tomtomtom1230]

OK cool, that pretty much sums up everything I need to know. What should I use to stick in the empty tray? More bio balls? I've been reading up on blogs and stuff is all and I think I'm just a bit confused about what I should and should not have in the filter and at what point.

 

[ian]

I love carbon in my planted tanks...i will always advocate carbon in high tech tanks, also in newly set up tanks. Keep it in.

 

[Cazgar]

Now I'm confused, every one else says you don't need it, so I took mine out.
All my tanks are planted, so what is the benefit of using carbon in planted tanks?

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Is it worth using Seachem's 'Purigen' as opposed to carbon?


http/www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Purigen.html

 

[ian]

in high tech tanks it will remove most/some of the organic waste from the plants, the organic waste which will lead to ammonia, which will lead to algae outbreaks. Most aquascapers/planted tank keepers tend to use carbon or purigen.

I love the stuff...i think we are to quick to tell people to get rid of the stuff on here.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

So carbon is actually OK for use in a low-tech planted tank? I think, just to be safe I might use Purigen regardless.

In your experience is carbon or purigen better?

EDIT: By better, I just mean 'is more readily available and more cost effective'.

 

[Cazgar]

My tanks are decidedly low tech, though heavily planted, so would you say use the carbon?
So many conflicting opinions, so little brain power to digest lol

 

[tomtomtom1230]

My tanks are decidedly low tech, though heavily planted, so would you say use the carbon?
So many conflicting opinions, so little brain power to digest lol

+1

 

[ian]

as said this is purely my/other aquascapers opinion, but i do have the tanks to show it (thats not being big headed!). I use carbon in all of my tanks, it doesn't do any harm.

@ Tom also IME Purigen is better value for money, it will also polish your water better than carbon. I have both carbon and purigen in my filters at present.

I also really rate Seachem Matrix, the best media on the market.


http/theaquaticgazette.com/2012/03/08/seachem-matrix/

 

[Cazgar]

Thank you, will put the carbon in & see if it makes a difference

 

[ian]

is there a problem in the tank Caz?

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Thanks everybody - I'll give it a go and pick up some Purigen when I'm at the LFS next!

 

[Cazgar]

No, the tanks are fine most if the time, do tend to get a bit cloudy every now & then, especially after a large water change of over 25%