General Care Discussion :: Carbon - Yay or nay?

[untsmurf]

I use it in my filters, but I just rinse it out when I wash the filters. I replace it whenever it gets worn out. I've never had a smell filter, except inside the filters, whew!

[imderanged]

I use carbon in all my filters, But I don't replace it every month. I don't seem to have a problem letting it go a bit longer.

[zoologist]

I also use the biozorb carbon stuffs, but i replace it maybe every two months. It's expensive!!

[BullDog]

Thanks for all your opinions. I think I might start using carbon again.

Well, some good news. I did some wheeling and dealing with someone I found on the local classifieds, and got 4 jars of carbon, a media bag, and some bioballs for $20.
However, it would happen that I just cleaned Frankie's filter, and did a partial water change in Ralph's tank But I haven't done Ralph's filter yet, so I'll probably do that in the next few days, put in some new carbon, and some bioballs

[meltedspork]

I use it in both of my tanks (I use ammo-carb which is carbon + ammonia remover), as well as bio rings, pre-filter, and foam. The trick to saving money is to buy it in bulk (loose, not in pouches or packs) and buy media bags... MUCH cheapr that way! Sounds like you scored a good deal for $20.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal or activated coal, is a form of carbon that has been processed to make it extremely porous and thus to have a very large surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activated_carbon

Basically, it removes impurities in the water.

As luck would have it, I found someone on the local classifieds who is selling some (loose) carbon. He hasn't got back to me with a price yet, but hopefully I can get it for a much better price than the Fluval stuff

The problem where I live is that Hagen pretty much owns the town. Most stores have only one, *maybe* two brands of media, filters, powerheads, you name it!

I had a look into re-using the carbon, but from what I found it's generally not that effective... But I'm certainly willing to give it a try if someone can find a good how-to!

I have a charcoal filter.So,is that carbon?

[PcBuilder14]

How often do you think I should replace my filter cartridges for my Marineland 350b hang on tank filter? The reason is because it costs $14 for 8 cartridges, and the filter uses 2 at a time!

[BullDog]

I have a charcoal filter.So,is that carbon?

Yes. Some filters have foam with a carbon layer weaved right in. The Fluval internal filters have this, and I'm sure many others do as well.

How often do you think I should replace my filter cartridges for my Marineland 350b hang on tank filter? The reason is because it costs $14 for 8 cartridges, and the filter uses 2 at a time!

Well, the makers of the carbon packs say about once a month, but the general consensus here is it can go a bit longer, say 2-3 months...

[PcBuilder14]

Thanks!

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Ok,thanks!

[Chrisbarnett]

No.. carbon does expire after about a month... whereafter it will let out everything that it absorbed.. so it's a good idea to replace it often.

But yes I do use it in my filter currently. I throw it out after a month, carbon is cheap.