Cycling and Bio-Filter in Planted Tank
 

In article . com,
Frank wrote:
the ferts would have the same problem too because the carbon is soaking
up the nutrients? no?
That makes no sense. Who says this?

Makes sence to me - activated carbon removes; ammonia, nitrite,


Nope.


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Cycling and Bio-Filter in Planted Tank
 

Frank wrote:
Altum wrote,

The only thing plants don't remove from your list is solid particulate
waste and much of that settles in the root zone.


Plants do not remove inorganic pollutants such as DOCs (Dissolved
Organic Compounds = uneaten foods and fish waste) from the water
column. As a matter of fact, a 20% weekly water change still leaves
about 30 days of accumulated DOC pollutants in the tank. DOC levels can
be determined by comparing the differences between a chemical hardness
test and the TDS (total dissolved solid) reading from a conductivity
meter. As the DOCs start to accumulate over time, the water starts to
turn yellow and the water quality starts to drop.

Actually, I've never had the water in a planted tank turn yellow the
way it does in a fish-only tank. That's why I thought they removed
DOCs. As a general rule, plants use pretty much every molecule they
can "get their hands on." I don't have access to a conductivity meter
so I'll have to take your word for the measurements.

Cycling and Bio-Filter in Planted Tank
 

Richard Sexton wrote,
Nope.

OK, OK - I got carried away, your right :-( , carbon does not remove
transparent inorganics! ............ Frank

This is a lot of fun, to a balance tank. I tend to Consider the removal of the filter gently placed in the tank is small, Fully grown, where I can feed the fish very light. I wait until the plants Are growing, so that nitrate tends to zero, if I did not add any.