Carbon and Ammonia

[WMDunkin]

I have the AquaClear 20 filter, which has three stage filter media, foam, carbon, biomax (ceramics). They have an ammonia stage that can be in place of the carbon stage, now my question is can I run both at the same time? Can I stick the ammonia stage in an open spot in the filter housing? Will they have a bad affect on each other? How much water needs to run through the ammonia to be of any help?

I have circled the "extra" space in the filter housing that I was thinking of putting it and showed the flow path.

 

[FlapJack]

There will be no Ill effects from mixing the two. However, you shouldn't have any ammonia unless the tank is new and even then if you use products to bind or absorb the ammonia it will only slow down the cycle. Better to do water changes to keep it at an acceptable level.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Agreed. In a cycled filter you should not need special ammonia treatment. Besides, carbon should only be used for short periods of time, only to remove medications. You could use that extra volume by tossing some coarse biomedia in there.

HarleyK

 

[WMDunkin]

There will be no Ill effects from mixing the two. However, you shouldn't have any ammonia unless the tank is new and even then if you use products to bind or absorb the ammonia it will only slow down the cycle. Better to do water changes to keep it at an acceptable level.

Howdy,

Agreed. In a cycled filter you should not need special ammonia treatment. Besides, carbon should only be used for short periods of time, only to remove medications. You could use that extra volume by tossing some coarse biomedia in there.

HarleyK

thanks guys, that is a good idea about putting some biomax in there. Now they say to put it in a "bag" but is that really needed?

 

[FSM]

My AC110 came with a mesh bag to put the biomedia in. I don't think it will be necessary for you, unless the flow of water is strong enough to push it out of the filter.

 

[WMDunkin]

good point about the flow I didn't think about that on since the flow is already kind of slow do to the decor.