Carbon In Filter

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CichlidKid

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 31, 2006
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Connecticut
I have heard that many people do not use carbon in their filters either at all or often.
I was under the impression that having carbond in at all times is best. I have a 55 gallon with a 4inch oscar in it, should I take my carbon out or leave it in to increase water quality? I read in another thread that there are only certain times carbon is actually needed, if so, then when are those times??
Comments and opinions please.
 
carbon will remove residule meds help clear water it uasally only has a good life of a week even though they say a month its not good to leave in your filter it causes mineral defeicancys and various other problem that i cant remember at the moment.
 
I only use carbon when removing meds from the water. If you want to you can try purigen instead to keep the water clean. Some people think that carbon may cause HITH, but I'm not sure how true this is. If I were you I wouldn't risk it. I'd leave the carbon out. Besides it has to be changed so often it gets really expensive. :)
 
klynne99 said:
I only use carbon when removing meds from the water. If you want to you can try purigen instead to keep the water clean. Some people think that carbon may cause HITH, but I'm not sure how true this is. If I were you I wouldn't risk it. I'd leave the carbon out. Besides it has to be changed so often it gets really expensive. :)
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:iagree: totally...I've also heard that carbon can contribute to HITH so with an oscar especially I wouldn't risk it. the only time I use carbon is to remove meds from the water which I very rarely need to do. I still have several bags of carbon that came with my aquaclear filters. :)
 
All these HITH threads convinced me to recently lose the carbon. Keeping up with decent water changes should be just as fine i guess.

And keeping fresh carbon gets pricey. Im assuming that the lfs will always push carbon.
 
This topic comes up often someone should sticky all this information in the general section so the forum readers can stay informed :D The main problem with carbon is that it will leech out whatever it takes out of the water if not removed when it's "shelf Life" has expired
 
I havent used carbon in a long time and I've never had any issues. I moved my oscar (who had HITH) to a tank that was filtered with no carbon and the HITH is much much better. Infact its almost gone.
 
ok, I'm gonna get rid of it then because i've been battling with HITH for a while trying using water changes and some meds, but this is good.
Thanks for your opinions, i'll let you know how it turns out.

A follow up question then is, what should i have in my filter, just bio, amonia, and sponge? Whats the best for my fish?
 
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