carbon useless?

[johnptc]

i find it difficult to keep nitrates below 20ppm even running a continous water change system at 10 to 20 % change every 24 hours !!! so I use carbon as well..works for me

The fact is Carbon usage has been a huge dispute for many years. Some aquarists use it some dont. The fact is most carbon will leach Phosphates into your aquarium and create huge algae problems unless high quality carbon is used. Therefore carbon needs to be replaced often and if you are using high quality carbon you will be broke from buying it on a regular basis. If you change water religiously and keep nitrates under 10ppm it is essentially not necessary. I only use it to remove meds or if I go on vacation and water wont be changed for a couple of weeks. That being said ther is no wrong answer it just depends if you want to spend the money on it or not.

 

[mostlycichlids]

i find it difficult to keep nitrates below 20ppm even running a continous water change system at 10 to 20 % change every 24 hours !!! so I use carbon as well..works for me

really I do 50% weekly on my tanks Nitrates are always under 10ppm. If your nitrates are getting to those levels with 70-140% water changes weekly you may want to consider more filtration unless you have nitrates at the tap.or you are way overstocked

 

[Sunpoe]

i find it difficult to keep nitrates below 20ppm even running a continous water change system at 10 to 20 % change every 24 hours !!! so I use carbon as well..works for me

Wow your tanks must be jam packed.

 

[johnptc]

really I do 50% weekly on my tanks Nitrates are always under 10ppm. If your nitrates are getting to those levels with 70-140% water changes weekly you may want to consider more filtration unless you have nitrates at the tap.

thanks for the thoughts.............no nitrates ( 3 ppm) in the tap water.........but big fish and lots of meaty food generate lots of nitrates.........the ammonia and nitrite run at 0ppm so bio is working well........also becuse the change water runs continously and the tank overflows the excess to a drain the change process is not as effective as draining and then replacing water........

ps the gigas by himself is at least 80 pounds !!!!

 

[mostlycichlids]

thanks for the thoughts.............no nitrates ( 3 ppm) in the tap water.........but big fish and lots of meaty food generate lots of nitrates.........the ammonia and nitrite run at 0ppm so bio is working well........also becuse the change water runs continously and the tank overflows the excess to a drain the change process is not as effective as draining and then replacing water........

aaahh I see BTW those are some impressive monster you have.

 

[johnptc]

aaahh I see BTW those are some impressive monster you have.

thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!