carbon filter

Doesn't leach anything--this is a weird myth, based I believe on the behaviour of some of the resins and sponges used for specific substances, like phosphates.

Carbon is the best media for removing tannins and medications. While it can help with other dissolved substances, there are better and cheaper methods for dealing with them. You can remove the carbon completely and use it just as needed, or you can leave what you have in there in place, and remove it if needed sometime down the line.

There is no leeching of chemicals or toxins that go back into the tank. I have never replaced my Regent Aqua-Tech 5-15 Filters ever in my 10gl tanks. I do tho clean the fabric filter part cleanly in a bucket with the water from which I siphoned from the tank. Everything seems to be okie so its ok to keep it in your tank, tho the carbon is usless after a month or even less at times...

The subject is a great and drawn out debate. I figured I give it a try after reading a debate a long this nature. I took my carbon out 1 1/2 years ago. And there is no looking back. I have a supply on stand by to remove meds when / if I use them.

Dave

I don't use carbon either in my canister. What can I use in a Penguin Mini though? The cartridges come with carbon. I leave it in until the whole thing needs replacing.