this is my question. I would like to know do i really need carbon in my canister filter? i change it somewhere between 2-3 months. i was wondering if i can replace it with different media. my h2o parameters are great ammonia 0ppm, nitrite 0ppm, and nitrate 10ppm. i do weekly h2o changes roughly 1/2 the h20. Just wondering
carbon replacement
- Thread starter Wyland
- Start date
Yup you can take it out. I only use it to remove meds. I will not start the carbon debate (it is a huge debate in our hobby) Just yes, you can change it with other media of your choice. "I" would all bio and do the main chem and mech with w.c's....(chemical, mechanical, and water changes are my abbreviations...)
I always keep carbon in new tanks but once established I change it out for either more bio or more mechanical..depending on the filter...
Some people swear by it...saying it removes the growth inhibiting hormones along with clorimines but I use RO/DI....none of that crap ever gets IN my tanks to begin with and although I'm not one of these people who preform water changes like a religious mantra I certianly do them often enough to keep the water relitivly free of hormones... (Any time the nitrates edge above 40 or the TDS reading reaches 300 then its time for a 25% water change.)
Keep a jar of carbon on hand however because it IS great for removing meds or as a temporary band-aid for what I like to call..."Vacation" water (thats the mess you come back to if your ever foolish enough to go away for more than a few days at a time....(slipping carbon in the filters and servacing ALL the filters and doing water changes BEFORE you leave is HIGHLY recomended unless you happen to have another expieranced fishkeeper taking care of your tanks while your away.)
Some people swear by it...saying it removes the growth inhibiting hormones along with clorimines but I use RO/DI....none of that crap ever gets IN my tanks to begin with and although I'm not one of these people who preform water changes like a religious mantra I certianly do them often enough to keep the water relitivly free of hormones... (Any time the nitrates edge above 40 or the TDS reading reaches 300 then its time for a 25% water change.)
Keep a jar of carbon on hand however because it IS great for removing meds or as a temporary band-aid for what I like to call..."Vacation" water (thats the mess you come back to if your ever foolish enough to go away for more than a few days at a time....(slipping carbon in the filters and servacing ALL the filters and doing water changes BEFORE you leave is HIGHLY recomended unless you happen to have another expieranced fishkeeper taking care of your tanks while your away.)
only carbon I run is chemipure I run it on my ray tank and got no idea why or why I like it change it every 3 months
The only reason you would need carbon is if your starting a new tank, your tank is overstocked, or you are trying to get rid of medicine. Carbon removes Ammonia, which you should not have in your tank if it is cycled.
You should replace it with some kind of bio media.
You should replace it with some kind of bio media.
Carbon also makes your water smell less. I use it, but I have WAY more filtration than my aquarium needs, anyway, so I don't need the extra bio material.