What Is Wrong With Carbon?

[raptorrex]

ok now my head hurts!
I have a fish r fun 90l aquarium that comes with a built in filter that uses bio tube thingies, carbon and what looks like a really crap sponge.

It has 3 compartments, bio things either side of a big bit with carbon and sponge. stupidly i thought a filter was just a filter!

Can i change these for something else? like the carbon for example, swap it for sponges or something? Oh god i am soooo new to this, thought i'd done my research but....

you can change the carbon section for a bio sponge.

 

[nukeonekitty]

Holy smokes thats a lot to read!

 

[Underwurlde]

Hot tip:

Print it all out.
Lay out sheets, one a-top t'other.
Punch a hole in the top left hand corner.
Thread a piece of string through.
Tie the ends together.
And hang it next to the bog!
Next time you 'feel the urge', great.
Boredom is now a thing of the past.

 

[DazedNCoNfUsEd]

HAHA, thats why I love my laptop and wireless internet. Nothing like browsing some TFF while on the crapper! Who needs magazines anymore....

 

[Underwurlde]

Take the poll: 'Do you use Carbon in your filter?'
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=169436

I have tried to be as un-biased as possible with the options, but if you feel this is not so, tell me...

Andy

 

[DazedNCoNfUsEd]

I think maybe there should be a pinned topic all about carbon. Explaining the uses and functions of it. Also the maintenance that is required if it is used and the consequences of not doing that maintenance. And whatever else there is to know about it!

Seems like theres alot of mixed opinions and beliefs out there about using carbon. It would be nice for everything to be cleared up with some cold hard facts.

 

[nukeonekitty]

I agree with above poster.

 

[raptorrex]

Hot tip:

Print it all out.
Lay out sheets, one a-top t'other.
Punch a hole in the top left hand corner.
Thread a piece of string through.
Tie the ends together.
And hang it next to the bog!
Next time you 'feel the urge', great.
Boredom is now a thing of the past.

HAHA, thats why I love my laptop and wireless internet. Nothing like browsing some TFF while on the crapper! Who needs magazines anymore....

I think maybe there should be a pinned topic all about carbon. Explaining the uses and functions of it. Also the maintenance that is required if it is used and the consequences of not doing that maintenance. And whatever else there is to know about it!

Seems like theres alot of mixed opinions and beliefs out there about using carbon. It would be nice for everything to be cleared up with some cold hard facts.

just so. i've asked the mods to pin the poll. we shall see.

 

[raptorrex]

Some interesting posts, though sadly none actually refer to any science papers dealing with what carbon will adsorb first and over what period and how much.

some more here

http/www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/h2oqual/watsys/ae1029w.htm

http/ewr.cee.vt.edu/environmental/teach/...cteristics.html

 

[AlphaBetta]

Do most people use carbon? I don't know. I have never seen a poll of any sorts that asks the question

Most people use carbon to remove MEDICATIONS..why is that?

How does carbon keep them out of the water?

How does carbon keep medications out of the water? Magic? Who knows? Who cares? How do birds fly? Who cares?

Do you mean to say that they are still there, just not reacting with the fish (you hope)?

Yes people HOPE and PRAY that carbon removes medications because they have no idea if it works or not even though it's printed on some medication directions..or maybe they do it because they have nothing better to do and just like to waste money.. I might have to ask the ORACLE for the answer to that question..give me a few days.

How do you know that the carbon will deal with the perfumes and chemicals before other organic compounds in the water?

How do you know little green aliens from other planets don't like hamburgers?

As to smoking, I know of plenty of aquarists who have seen no ill effects from smoking near their fish despite.

I've seen smokers die from lung cancer due to eating french fries and playing volleyball. In fact they die right away right after the first puff. They never ever die many years down the road from lung cancer..never.

I don't see CFC with carbon in his filters yet I do know that both he and I have smoked while watching his rays feed.

I've seen Elvis smoking marijuana. I just talked to him last night..he's living in Jamaica now. He gets high along with his pet fish.

If you are pumping that many chemicals into the air that a 20% per week water change cannot handle it then I would be inclined to believe that the carbon won't either, unless replaced very often (daily going by the sources posted earlier in this thread).

There's a difference between removing substances from water on a realtime basis versus a non-realtime eg weekly basis. Going by your logic we should leave a filter off and only turn it on once a week..sounds like a great I idea. I think I'll try that and see if there is any *ill effects*..

We know it does not have any effect on chlorine

Who is this we you speak of? Everything I've read so far about carbon states that it removes free chlorine from water. I'd lke to see where you got your information from.

 

[AlphaBetta]

You what?

You smoke french fries? Me too!

lol we are back to ish again, last things first, your house air cleaner, can have little to do with your aquarium!!!! I use one too but that is for my little girls chest, and to keep the furniture and décor clean. the relationship between carbon working in air and underwater, is mute, indeed the processes are quite different, IMO.

You obviously don't understand the properties of water. Water is like a magnet for airborn fumes/particles and once they come in contact with water they stay in the water. They don't magically disappear from the water.

though there are proponents of carbon filtration, a little research will find that carbon is not used by the majority of, experienced keepers, the Fish Greek, true it is placed in many filters as you buy them, but like changing your sponges every few months, has more to do with retail profits than good fish keeping practice.

Nobdy said the majority of fishkeepers use carbon. I said the majority use it to remover medications. Please read more carefully next time otherwise you'd be back with another "ISH" post that has no relevence whatsoever.

it also removes vital trace elements from your water!!! some if not most can not be replaced by water changes alone.

You have proof of this?

perhaps a more informed and less childish attitude would serve you better.

Perhaps a refresher course in basic logic will serve you better?

 

[Underwurlde]

Steady on centurion! Wind your neck back in.

TIA,

Andy

 

[AlphaBetta]

What does your post have anything to do with carbon?

 

[raptorrex]

You what?

You smoke french fries? Me too!

lol we are back to ish again, last things first, your house air cleaner, can have little to do with your aquarium!!!! I use one too but that is for my little girls chest, and to keep the furniture and décor clean. the relationship between carbon working in air and underwater, is mute, indeed the processes are quite different, IMO.

You obviously don't understand the properties of water. Water is like a magnet for airborn fumes/particles and once they come in contact with water they stay in the water. They don't magically disappear from the water.

though there are proponents of carbon filtration, a little research will find that carbon is not used by the majority of, experienced keepers, the Fish Greek, true it is placed in many filters as you buy them, but like changing your sponges every few months, has more to do with retail profits than good fish keeping practice.

Nobdy said the majority of fishkeepers use carbon. I said the majority use it to remover medications. Please read more carefully next time otherwise you'd be back with another "ISH" post that has no relevence whatsoever.

it also removes vital trace elements from your water!!! some if not most can not be replaced by water changes alone.

You have proof of this?

perhaps a more informed and less childish attitude would serve you better.

Perhaps a refresher course in basic logic will serve you better?

1 suggest you read the post D'oh
2 perhaps not, but i do know that heavier than air items fall down and not at right angles. i not sure but most people cover their tanks
3 oops true
4 yes! do some research!
5 if your are going to be a smart ass with posts, do people the curtsey of quoting their whole post

What does your post have anything to do with carbon?

finally who the hell are you to tell members what they can post. i suggest you grow up fast. but perhaps, on reflection, it already too late

 

[InaneCathode]

Alphabetta, i think i'd benefit the entire community if you'd adjust your attitude and stop personally attacking other people for voicing their different opinions.