I have been told that many of the fish keepers here don't use carbon in their filters. What do you use? how do you set it up? do you have to do anything special to maintain water quality? How frequently do you change the water?
Carbon vs No Carbon
- Thread starter cichlid savage
- Start date
I never use any carbon unless I need to remove meds. weekly to biweekly water changes (depending on the load) and a lot of mechanical and biological filtration is all I use. I just use the space intended for carbon for more bio media. I've had less problems without using carbon than I did when I used it.
IMO its a waste of money unless you actually NEED it (removing meds or odor)
its been about 2 years since i've used it.
IMO its a waste of money unless you actually NEED it (removing meds or odor)
its been about 2 years since i've used it.
Crazy. I have an undergravel and my friend was telling me to get rid of the carbon and replace all of them with powerheads.
Aye, been about 8 years since I've faithfully used carbon, and I have to say its soo nice not havin to depend on it. Having to replace it so often is a seriously annoying hassle, not to mention can get pricey. You can get so many better filter medias now that are more benificial...like phos-aid, or .5 micron filter floss....the list goes on.
Yeah, could even just get rid of the UGF. They are a thing of the past now, compared to all the new filters that do what a UGF used to do and soo much more. Taking the carbon packs off of the tubes and puttin on powerheads WILL increase the circulation in the UGF and promote better bacteria growth for sure. You should supplement it though with a H.O.T filter like a Aquaclear or a canister filter...
Ditto.
Carbon also masks smells. This can be good for your nostrils, but bad if there is something wrong with your tank. Normally a well established tank wont smell. So if it does, there is a problem. But if you're using carbon, you may not notice there's a problem until something bad happens. (fish loss) Since the carbon was masking the tell tale signs.
I just replace the carbon with more bio media as well as filter floss as a water polisher.
Ditto.
Carbon also masks smells. This can be good for your nostrils, but bad if there is something wrong with your tank. Normally a well established tank wont smell. So if it does, there is a problem. But if you're using carbon, you may not notice there's a problem until something bad happens. (fish loss) Since the carbon was masking the tell tale signs.
Brilliants point....First time I've seen this pointed out....
I believe in the May issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist there was an excellent article on carbon. I highly recommend it.
i use an emperor wid carbon in it wid the bio wheel..so u guys are suggesting that i take out or stop using carbon and put other biological things insead? thanks in advanced
Yes most definitley ditch the carbon, it's basically useless.....
Here is an awesome product you buy for your emp....
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1