activated carbon?

[bluemeate]

so i watched a video about cleaning a filter and it says that the bag of activated carbon should only be cleaned like once or twice before it needs to be replaced. well i got this filter form my cousin and i remember him never replacing that bag of carbon everytime he cleaned the filter.

also instead of buying packages of it, can i just open the one i have, refill it with the carbon that comes in a plastic container then spend 5 minutes resealing it with a thread and needle or something? seems like a 1liter plastic container of it is like 20 bucks at the lfs. anywhere i can get some equivilent stuff for cheaper elsewhere?

also i take it this stuff is really important for me right now since i just started cycling my tank and have been filling it with tap water from a house with 60 yr old piping. carbon soaks up all sorts of harsh things like heavy metals and crud, dont it?

also part of the tank has a bunch of these white plastic looking cylinder things and these black star looking things, what are those?

[Trigger1985]

Those black and white bits are biological filter media- they provide surface area for the good bacteria to grow in.

You can in fact use your old bag and fill it with new carbon. $20 seems high, check online for a better deal- the big container is only $12 at petco here. If you go with the needle and thread route, use fishing line, or unwaxed dental floss- not cotton which will rot. I use a draw string bag got at Petsmart for a buck, less hassle. I replace my carbon when I start to notice odors from my tank, more than normal discoloration of the water (I have drift wood which stains my water, no matter how much carbon I use)

[excuzzzeme]

If you are lucky enough to be on well water as I am, you may not even need carbon. If you have a single tank I wouldn't worry about the cost. Having multiple tanks is where it gets expensive to use it. You can get media bags from your LFS cheaply enough. A pair of nylons work well too.

[katana1200]

Here is a great thread on the use of carbon.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211601&highlight=carbon

There is a great debate here on the uses, need for, benifits of carbon. I believe its a great medium for bacteria to grow on, therefore if you don't need fresh carbon for removing meds, just leave it in there.

[DavidZ]

You will find mixed opinions on using carbon here. Most do not use it, unless they are removing chems from the water, or to polish the water. You can use fiber to polish the water.
It is your choice, but could be a waste of money to use it all the time.

[bluemeate]

Those black and white bits are biological filter media- they provide surface area for the good bacteria to grow in.
dont wash these the, right?

also the water im filling my tank with is probably runnning through some really old and nasty piping.... you all think i should pick up one those 6 dollar 3packs? also whats the shelf life of the stuff?

[bluemeate]

nvm.