carbon

[doch]

i have heard alot about activated carbon in fish tanks if i get a bag say the same as you get in the aqua clear filter kits and put it in my sump what will be the effect ?

[breakaway]

Activated Carbon is this thing which "ADSORBS" (Bad things stick to the surface of it due to its chemical properties) things like melafix - if you have just treated the fish, it will remove the excess from your tank. Also the dude at LFS told me that It will make the browness of the water go away after I got driftwood. Ive found that Activated Carbon Cartridges for Shark 1 submersible power filter costs like $6.50. It needs to be chganged every 3 weeks apparently.... Ive only had mine for a week. I believe Activated Carbon is of not much use unless you want something gone from your tank real qick. People tell me its better to get Sponges instead to use so theres more room for the bateria to grow.

[Pegasus]

Hi Doch,

Don't exactly knowwhat you are doing.. or trying to do, but the Activated Carbon is designed to remove impurities from the water and only has a short life before it becomes inactive. (two or three weeks)

The water must be flowing through it in order for it to do its job, so the ideal place would perhaps be on the water return from your sump.

[tamboe2001]

personally i wouldnt bother with carbon unless you use it to remove medications

sure it pollishes your water but doesnt last long

[Caryl]

It is expensive stuff to use and unnecessary. I have never bothered with it at all.

[Gomer]

Some people don't like it, and only use it when really needed (i.e. generally only to remove medications), some swear by it, and there is that group of people, which i sit amoung, who like it for what it is, and use it in certain tanks which don't have plants, or fish which have a higher risk of getting hole in the head disease.

I use it in my main display tank, which has hardy plants, with my community fish. I believe activated carbon's benefits out-weigh its down sides (that it will remove some minerals, and absorb certain ingredients of liquid fertilisers, which i don't use on this tank).

My other tank is moderately stocked with live plants, and i fertilise this tank on a daily basis with liquid ferts. This is the main reason why i don't use activated carbon on this tank, and the other reason is it will possibly remove some trace elements or minerals which are found in my water supply which may be beneficial towards my plants.

-- Gomer