Activated Carbon and Plants

[125gJoe]

Besides getting rid of 'used' meds, is there any benefits to using carbon for live plants? ...just ocassionally, say a few days a month?

[Mrditty]

I use it in my 1 of my canisters just as habit some never die but then I leave it in for 9 or more months. LLLlong after it has stop its primary funtion but it still serves a a bateria bed.

[Richer]

I see no use of carbon in a well maintained tank. I don't use carbon in any of my tanks, and they are all doing well.. planted or otherwise.

HTH
-Richer

[Jared]

Generally plants serve the same purpose that carbon iserves in a non-panted tank. Short runs of carbon are used mainly (1) to remove medications after treatment; (2) to remove odors (e.g. phenols) (3) to remove dyes (e.g. tannins). The problems with carbon are (1) to be effective as a chemical filter it needs to be replaced when exhausted -- otherwise, if left, it becomes another biomedia; (2) it will adsorb a few nutrients, like iron; and so (3) it is an expense that generally isn't needed.

Jared