Go Carbonless??

I ahve the standard Whipser HOB filter and have been using the filters
with carbon.. I recently discovered a site that said you should remove
the carbon to keep beneficial bacteria going through the filter...

Is this true?

On 17 Jan 2007 22:10:38 -0800, "JB" wrote:

I ahve the standard Whipser HOB filter and have been using the filters
with carbon.. I recently discovered a site that said you should remove
the carbon to keep beneficial bacteria going through the filter...

Is this true?

I have 3 ten gallon tanks with Whisper Jr. external filters. I quit
putting carbon in the bags over 3 years ago. I only change filter
bags when the water is running out the inlet.

I have never understood all of the precautions regarding bacteria.
When I change bags, I just pull out the old frame with its bag and
slide in a new one. I don't even turn the pump off. I then rinse off
the dirty bag and toss it with my other laundry.

Works for me.

I also have a 29 and a 75 gallon. They get similar treatment.

"JB" wrote in news:1169100638.503928.99030@
38g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

I ahve the standard Whipser HOB filter and have been using the filters
with carbon.. I recently discovered a site that said you should remove
the carbon to keep beneficial bacteria going through the filter...

Is this true?


Nope. Carbon doesn't affect bacteria at all. The beneficial bacteria
all sticks to whatever surface it can find, they aren't water-borne, so
the idea of removing carbon to keep bacteria going through the filer is
misleading.

There are only limited circumstances when carbon filtration is useful,
and unless you have a consistent source of supply for it, it has widely
variable effectiveness and rates of depletion.

Carbon is good for;

1) removing copper-based medicines from the water stream, once treatment
is concluded

2) reducing tannin-based water discoloration ("tea water") in planted
tanks

3) removing some heavy metal contaminants (lead, antimony, a few others,
but not mercury)

4) removing dissolved organic compounds, to a lesser extent.


THe problem with that last (which is I'd guess the reason why filter
makers always include it) is that few hobbyists have a means of
measuring d.o.c., and thus have no clue when the carbon stops working.
Add on to that the issue with variation in rates of depletion, and you
can see why so many people are skeptical of its efficacy.

Personally, I have a consistent source of local supply for bone
charcoal, which I use to treat a 20g planted tank with a history of
discoloring. I replace 1/2 cup monthly in my filter, and my water stays
low in color. If I stop, the color comes back. I'd use the smae
charcoal if I ever had to clean tank water after an ich treatment.
Other tanks do just fine without carbon in the filter. You might want
to replace the carbon's surface area with something else to grow
bacteria on, though, or you might lose a little bit of your tank's
capacity to handle ammonia/nitrites.

DaveZ
Atom Weaver

Problem with carbon is the expense if you change it out properly. Another
problem is if left in too long, when the carbon has absorbed all it can, it
starts leaching out toxins. It can hamper good bacterial growth both
initially, by absorbing materials needed by the bacteria and then later when
you change out the carbon, because bacteria will grow on the carbon so you
remove a chunck of your bacteria. Running carbon all the time presents some
problems as well from dosing medications and if you happen to have live
plants can also absorb water colum ferterilizers.

In general, use carbon only when removing medication you have placed in the
tank.

"JB" wrote in message
ps.com...
I ahve the standard Whipser HOB filter and have been using the filters
with carbon.. I recently discovered a site that said you should remove
the carbon to keep beneficial bacteria going through the filter...

Is this true?

"JB" wrote in message
ps.com...
I ahve the standard Whipser HOB filter and have been using the filters
with carbon.. I recently discovered a site that said you should remove
the carbon to keep beneficial bacteria going through the filter...

Is this true?
=====================
I haven't used carbon in years. The bacteria don't go through the filter,
they cling to whatever they can attach themselves to all over the tank,
including whatever is in the filter.
--
ZB....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

Isn;'t that precious...CArol Gulley learned a new freakinmg work
"CLING".........I guess we can all look forward to seeing her use this
new ofund word n more of her phlagarized posts.

Say thank you GILL, Thank you TYNK, Thank you Carls for teaching CArol
a new word.

On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:35:15 -0600, Zëbulon
wrote:


"JB" wrote in message
groups.com...
I ahve the standard Whipser HOB filter and have been using the filters
with carbon.. I recently discovered a site that said you should remove
the carbon to keep beneficial bacteria going through the filter...

Is this true?
=====================
I haven't used carbon in years. The bacteria don't go through the filter,
they cling to whatever they can attach themselves to all over the tank,
including whatever is in the filter.



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!