Carbon per gallon
- Thread starter Wiksta
- Start date
Zero, for daily use.
The surface area is so big that I'd trust manufacturer's guidance for removing meds. Chances are, your adding way too much anyway. Plus, it's cheap.
The surface area is so big that I'd trust manufacturer's guidance for removing meds. Chances are, your adding way too much anyway. Plus, it's cheap.
Activated carbon is good for removing meds. Beyond that, other materials and methods are a more common choice.
This doesn't mean it can't be used or that it won't work as intended. E.g., some people who run drip systems and at the same time live in an area that uses chloramines have posted that they find carbon block filters to be an attractive addition. (I don't have experience with either, but that is what they have posted.)
However, in general, compared to the alternatives, people routinely don't use it.
This doesn't mean it can't be used or that it won't work as intended. E.g., some people who run drip systems and at the same time live in an area that uses chloramines have posted that they find carbon block filters to be an attractive addition. (I don't have experience with either, but that is what they have posted.)
However, in general, compared to the alternatives, people routinely don't use it.
What other methods? I have a sump filter. Using 4 filter socks and plenty of Bio media. I stopped using carbon few years ago but recently decided to start again after speaking to a friend that has a business caring for fish and aquariums. Should i go without or is there a better/ more preferred method? I'm just using it as a just in case. Not trying to remove meds.
If you do the following:
1) add dechlorinator that also removes chloramines when doing water changes
2) do regular and adequate water changes
3) maintain a healthy biological filter
4) provide some mechanical filtration
you have accomplished most of the things activated carbon was originally used for in the tank. All of the above should be done whether one uses carbon or not, so in that respect carbon isn't needed.
As mentioned in other posts, carbon is a great tool for removing meds. It can help with tannins (although patience or extensive rinsing of wood will help with that as well.) It may be a useful addition on a steady drip systems where chloramine is in the water supply.
Perhaps I'm missing something, but the majority of tanks do need carbon.
1) add dechlorinator that also removes chloramines when doing water changes
2) do regular and adequate water changes
3) maintain a healthy biological filter
4) provide some mechanical filtration
you have accomplished most of the things activated carbon was originally used for in the tank. All of the above should be done whether one uses carbon or not, so in that respect carbon isn't needed.
As mentioned in other posts, carbon is a great tool for removing meds. It can help with tannins (although patience or extensive rinsing of wood will help with that as well.) It may be a useful addition on a steady drip systems where chloramine is in the water supply.
Perhaps I'm missing something, but the majority of tanks do need carbon.