Carbon filter media

[E.Otter]

How necessary and effective is carbon filter media in freshwater aquariums
and what exactly does it remove that are harmful to fish? I've heard some
folks say its absolutely useless unless you want to remove medication.

Marineland's website states carbon removes tannins and phenols. Their
description of those two things were vague and didn't make them sound really
bad. They also said it removes chlorine and chlorimines. Which I and
probably everyone else already uses something else to remove.

What are your opinions?

E.Otter

[Dinky]

You heard right. Carbon is much less useful than the marketing
machines would have you know. It will remove discolorations from bog
wood and the like, and medications, but beyond that it's a waste of
time and money. I haven't put carbon in any of my tanks for years,
except under special circumstances.

--

billy
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"E.Otter" > wrote in message
link.net...
| How necessary and effective is carbon filter media in freshwater
aquariums
| and what exactly does it remove that are harmful to fish? I've
heard some
| folks say its absolutely useless unless you want to remove
medication.
|
| Marineland's website states carbon removes tannins and phenols.
Their
| description of those two things were vague and didn't make them
sound really
| bad. They also said it removes chlorine and chlorimines. Which I
and
| probably everyone else already uses something else to remove.
|
| What are your opinions?
|
| E.Otter
|
|

[Iain Miller]

"E.Otter" > wrote in message
link.net...
> How necessary and effective is carbon filter media in freshwater aquariums
> and what exactly does it remove that are harmful to fish? I've heard some
> folks say its absolutely useless unless you want to remove medication.
>
> Marineland's website states carbon removes tannins and phenols. Their
> description of those two things were vague and didn't make them sound
really
> bad. They also said it removes chlorine and chlorimines. Which I and
> probably everyone else already uses something else to remove.
>
> What are your opinions?

Carbon works by absorbtion & so is very useful for clearing out medications
etc - it will also happily clear out any plant food etc you put in the tank.
It works for a fairly short period of time - how long exactly depends on how
much of it there is & how much stuff there is for it to absorb so its almost
impossible to say but its a week or two at best IMO.

Keep some handy for taking out medication otherwise don't waste your money.
If you can't get clear water without using it then you are probably doing
something wrong somewhere.....

I.

I.

[Ali Day]

"E.Otter" > wrote in message
link.net...
> How necessary and effective is carbon filter media in freshwater aquariums
> and what exactly does it remove that are harmful to fish? I've heard some
> folks say its absolutely useless unless you want to remove medication.
>
> Marineland's website states carbon removes tannins and phenols. Their
> description of those two things were vague and didn't make them sound
really
> bad. They also said it removes chlorine and chlorimines. Which I and
> probably everyone else already uses something else to remove.

Hi,
I had a similar query recently, when I moved tank and the new filter
included a carbon pillow, with the instructions that it must be changed
every 4 weeks. I have only used it over quite a few years, to remove
medication, as I thought and have had problems with algae due to phosphates.

Firstly I would suggest doing an advanced search through google on this
group
i.e. http://tinyurl.com/25o9l after asking questions in vain, I realised
that most of these questions have been asked before.

OK more importantly IMHO, I have a 170G heavily planted, well filtered tank
with about 20% water change every two weeks,
I don't think there is any need for carbon except to remove medication, but
if you have a smaller tank and want the water crystal clear then it's up to
you, but make sure you do change it regularly and don't leave it lying in
your filter.

But as I say read up on it and use your own judgement on what other people
think and apply it to your circumstances.

Good luck

A

[Flash Wilson]

Hi,

On Mon, 17 May 2004 14:32:15 +0200, Ali Day > wrote:
>"E.Otter" > wrote in message
link.net...
>> How necessary and effective is carbon filter media in freshwater aquariums
>> and what exactly does it remove that are harmful to fish? I've heard some
>> folks say its absolutely useless unless you want to remove medication.
>
>I don't think there is any need for carbon except to remove medication, but
>if you have a smaller tank and want the water crystal clear then it's up to
>you, but make sure you do change it regularly and don't leave it lying in
>your filter.

My own experience is that carbon is useful for removing medication
(although I would always support this with a large water change;
perhaps the point is more to remove carbon, if you use it, during
medication, rather than to add it following medication if you don't!

I have read that the shelf life of carbon is 6-8 weeks, after which
time it stops taking things from the water and may possibly leach
them back in. So if you use it, replace every 1-2 months, strictly.

I like to use carbon although many hobbyists say there is no need.
Perhaps there is no need - a healthy tank should not have any
toxins which need removing, right?

However I choose to use it as at a minimum, I find it does no harm.
At a maximum, it might be keeping my tank well. I can't tell!
I would say usage is a matter of personal choice.

I have read that is good at removing dissolved organic compounds
(DOCs) - and that the point of water changes is to remove nitrates
(taken by my live plants) and DOCs - and whether this is true or
not I do get away with fairly minimal water changes and maintenance
(although I never let a filter labour, always clear it out if the
water volume through it is reduced).

It is one of these "your mileage may vary" things - if you maintain
a healthy tank you may have no need for carbon. I don't know if I need
it or not, but it does no harm, so I keep using it. In addition it's
useful for unexpected things. For example my house is surrounded
by building sites (fun eh?!) and we often get the smell of burning
tar in the house. This gives me a headache and makes the fish gasp.
I think in this circumstance carbon can only be a benefit (along of
course with other methods such as aerating the whole house). And as
a minimum, the carbon chips always provide more surface area for the
bacteria to live in my filter, instead of say extra ceramic media.

But to summarise - it's up to you! suck it and see!

Some say you should not bother, I say it works so why stop?

Hope that helps (somehow!) If nothing else I hope to have given you
the confidence to try out both ways and make your own mind up.

--
Flash Wilson
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