Charcoal question

[rodneybur]

I have the basic hang on tank filters that use the charcoal slides and wondered if there are any other ways to change the filters besides buying the new charcoal slides.

I noticed that the stores sell bottles of charcoal and wondered if I could just cut slits in the filter and replace the charcoal. Has anyone tried this or have any other suggestions?

Can someone tell me what the charcoal is for and is there any way around it? Thanks.

 

[dialphantom]

the coal if to take out colors and chemiclas and smells in the water and it depends on your filters

 

[guppy]

I don't use it unless I'm in an area with high metal levals in the water. then I do and change it often.

 

[craig]

You can buy net bags that come in different sizes and are reusable to put charcoal in.Or you could buy the the charcoal padsthat come in sheets,and you cut to fit.It's much cheaper and it is charcoal.

 

[piranha45]

I don't waste my time or money on charcoal.

 

[rayman45]

i use them in my 30g show tank heavily.
keeps the water crystal clear.

p45 runs just on sponges

 

[sohfatfish]

Don't need to use charcoal. Only use it when u need to remove heavy metals or medication from the water.

 

[wenjun]

i use it to keep my water away from the ordur smell.

 

[sohfatfish]

If your filter is working well i don't think there would be any smell from the water. The smell is probably from ammonia which the BB cannot breakdown in an uncycled or too high a bioload tank.

 

[redtailfool]

charcoal ( activated carbon) helps take out impurities in your water such as discoloration and odor.

A lot of seasoned fish keepers shun charcoal because regular water changes
would seem to do the same result as charcoal does. Some groups also tend to blame activated carbon as one of the factors for hith in some species of fish.

I dont use activated carbon too but imo its a goodwater polisher. Water seems whiter and crystal clear when you use it..