Carbon yes or no?

[Hipporhyn]

I am wondering what you folks think about using carbon in filters for SA and CA cichlids.
I have used it in my turtle’s canister filter for years. He is healthy and his water is crystal clear.
I have used it in my cichlid tanks (large Amphilophous in one and 5” Flowerhorn in the other). But have recently gradually removed it from canister filters. In these tanks I am currently only using it in Aqueon “polishing unit” cartridges which I replace every 6 weeks....I have 3 per tank and every 2 weeks I replace 1.
I do 40% water changes weekly. My water is always crystal clear and my fish are healthy.
Do you think there is any factual reason not to use it or do you think it is just a personal preference issue?

 

[BIG-G]

I only use it if I have tannins water to clear up or to help remove meds after a treatment. I do not use it just to keep my water clear from day to day.

I have read that the fine dust can irritate fish and contribute to lateral line erosion.
As far as know there isn’t any 100% proof that is true.

 

[tlindsey]

I agree with BIG-G but I personally don't use it so if I have a problem with the aquarium especially an off smell I will notice it quickly than if I used carbon.

 

[BIG-G]

Also I’ve found that if your tank maintenance is up to par you really don’t need it.
It’s also an added expense, that in my opinion just isn’t necessary for daily use.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I don't run it in my freshwater tanks. I have also heard that is can contribute to HLLE; I do not have any evidence either, believe I read it on this forum. But there have been no noticeable negative effects of going without it for quite a while now.

 

[Irecruitfish]

I've never put carbon in my freshwater tanks and the water has been crystal clear. Well except for some film at the top of the tank but as long as it's not affecting water quality I'm fine with it.

 

[Go_redfish]

Don't use it unless removing meds or if I've painted the room the tank is in. ...or my husband has tried to burn my kitchen down...

 

[Sac39051]

BRS makes a high quality carbon (rox 2.0 or something) as well as other companies but I believe BRS was the most affordable last I was looking. There are studies (I have been told) that suggest the carbon fines can contribute to hlle particularly in tangs and other prone species.

If you rinse the carbon well and don’t contain it in something that causes it to tumble and erode itself, you should have no problem with dust (use a reactor or something that contains the carbon between 2 sponges).

The rox stuff is extremely clean and rinses easily and is in a cylindrical shape like cupcake sprinkles. It is what I used periodically on my reef.

 

[neutrino]

Imo there's no single right answer. All aquarium carbon is not created equal, some are cleaner or more effective than others. I used to have a go to article on different types, grades, processing, etc. Don't have it anymore, but that's also my experience. Neither is all water equal, if you have an issue with stuff in your tap water carbon may help.

I did carbon for years and have been without it for years. Carbon or not I've had exactly one mild, quickly cured case of HITH in 30 something years of fishkeeping, one single fish, and that was without carbon, and I've kept sensitive species like wild and domestic discus, apistos, GB rams, etc. I know there are people out there who believe removing carbon cured their HITH issues, how rigorously scientific their observations are, I don't know. I won't categorically say carbon cannot be a factor in HITH in any circumstance, but I've never personally bought into it or seen any evidence of it.

It's been a while since I was doing science sourced reading on the subject, but one thing I remember is the notion some people have that carbon can re-release toxins back into the water over time is a misunderstanding of the fact that this is possible but It takes the application of chemicals or extreme temperatures you wouldn't have in your tank.