"mindmeld" wrote in message
...
ok... so can i just keep the 'spent' carbon as a sponge alternative
(ie.
bio-collector/host substance) and just replace all the floss?

Yes.... and another point to also consider is that the nitrifying
bacteria colonise all surfaces within the environment that provides food
and O2. More generally colonise the filter because of the high water
flow. I have seen various estimates concerning the percentages..... My
guess is between 20% - 60% are on tank, gravel, and decoration surfaces.
These bacteria can double in less than a day given proper conditions.



Of course, this seems pretty much what i have been doing... except
i've been keeping
a little of the floss each time.

AcH, the non-compulsive filter maintainer. ( i let the newts tell me
when to change
it)


"mindmeld" wrote in message
...
so, i can ditch the carbon and replace it with a sponge?...
snip

Yes, as stated before, *unless there is a specific need for it*,
carbon is
generally a waste of time and money, and will make little or no
difference.
It has its uses, though.
snip
your filter is doing it's job. Every time you remove and replace a
bit of
media, you're losing some of your bio-filter bacteria colony. If
you remove
too much, you may end up with an ammonia spike, and a mini-cycle
has to
occur before the bacteria multipy, and everything evens out again.

billy



Here is a article on Activated Carbon that I thought was
interesting:


http://www.resintech.com/Content/Tec...Filtration.pdf