Filter Media Question

[abcdefghi]

I recently added an Aquaclear 110 to my 55G, the filter came with the big foam block, a bag of carbon, and some ceramic rings. I know from reading on here, that the carbon after a couple months will essentially be doing nothing.

So, can I remove the carbon and instead add a layer of crushed coral? I have soft acidic water, and at the moment have a bag of crushed coral wedged into the back of my Whisper 60, with the coral in there it affects the flow through that filter. I would guess I just need to put the coral into a mesh bag and set it between the foam and bio rings. Would about 1" of coral be an Ok amount? or more than I would need.

Thanks.

[Draal5]

That would be fine I think you will find that most of us only use carbon to remove meds and if there is a problem with our tanks.

[smoochxoxo]

I removed the carbon from my ac filter and in its place put Poly fiberfill for fine particle catching. lol It didn't decrease the flow so i doubt the coral would at all.
GL!!!

[Dixon]

ditch the carbon and use a crushed coral substitute like crushed shell.

[Carla G]

I would get some of the biological substrate and replace the carbon with that. Save your carbon for removing meds. You can also buy sheets of cut to size filter material to separate layers of substrate, noodles etc in the filter. It is quite cheap.

[jones57742]

So, can I remove the carbon and instead add a layer of crushed coral? I have soft acidic water, and at the moment have a bag of crushed coral wedged into the back of my Whisper 60, with the coral in there it affects the flow through that filter. I would guess I just need to put the coral into a mesh bag and set it between the foam and bio rings. Would about 1" of coral be an Ok amount? or more than I would need.
ab:

Yes you can (and should) remove the carbon but keep a spare for emergencies.

The horizontal dimensions of the filtration chamber were not indicated in the Hagen literature (http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/Aquaclear_English.pdf). I was searching for these dimensions in order to get a feel for the velocities through the filtration media. I believe that the problem at hand is not if a 1" thickness of coral is sufficient but if this thickness is excessive. You will need to monitor your Ph and adjust the thickness accordingly.

TR

[pistolpete3521]

So I shouldn't use carbon in my filter either =\ my world has come crashing down ... HURRRAHHHH NO MORE EXPENSIVE REFILLS ! ! ! I was considering replacing it anyway. . .

[OldMan47]

Go ahead and replace it Pete. Replace it with any good biomedia and you will be ahead for filtration. Do keep a carbon filter refill on hand in case you find yourself needing one for medications.

[jones57742]

Do keep a carbon filter refill on hand in case you find yourself needing one for medications.
As well as for emergencies when even WC's are not effective (very, very rare but I have enjoyed :wall: :lipssealedsmilie: the experience once).

TR

[echoofformless]

What kinds of fish live in this tank?

[abcdefghi]

In mine? Angels and peppered cory cats (and possibly going to be some tetras)........... I know they like soft acidic water, but out the tap my water is below 6.0pH and IIRC the GH/KH were virtually 0........... when fishless cycling due to low pH the cycle stalled. Any fish I can get come from LFS with a pH closer to 7.0, I know fish can adapt but I feel safer being able to at least buffer my water some.

[inkyjenn]

im so glad your going with the crushed coral idea and not getting something like pH up. the corals should help buffer your water and keep it from having wild pH swings :)