Question about my Carbon type filter

Needeles

Needeles

AC Members
Jun 5, 2006
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Wisconsin
Hello, I have been reading that I don't really need to have carbon in my tank. I have an Deluxe Aqua-Tech 10-20 Power Filter (Purchased at Wal-Mart). There are 2 type of cartridges that fit into the filter. It says that one is a Biological filter (A hard sponge type) and the other is a Mechanical & Chemical filter (A cloth like on one side and hard plastic holder on the other side type). The second one contains activated carbon. Now my question is do I need to use the second filter as I have to change it every 2-3 weeks. When I do change it the cloth side is dirty. The last change was alittle longer then normal and the filter itself started to backup the water and overflow alittle bit. This is a HOB filter type by the way. With the bio filter it says not to change it but to just rinse it once in awhile when it starts to get dirty. I also have a UGF that has 2 tubes with carbon inserts. Was just wondering if I need all the carbon, if it will hurt to keep or remove the filter.

On a side note I have noticed that once I installed the UGF that my water looks alot more clear and crisp and the fish seem to like it. Not sure if they like the new UGF or that I just changed the tank decor around but they seem happier. It could also be that I think I got rid of a problem I have been having (Neons kept dieing and water was alittle cloudy). Thanks for any advice that may be given.
 
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Hi
Carbon in a filter takes out a range things - like colour that may leech out of wood decor, and some trace chemicals from either the tap water or fish waste. This means the water can look clearer and normally smells slightly less. On the other hand if you want to suceed with plants it can strip out some of the 'chemicals' that plants need to grow and can stunt them leaving the tank open to algae. So it is up to you which is more important to the look of the tank - certainly if you are changeing it every few weeks there is no need to have it in both the UGF and the HOB.
:fairy:
Sue
 
to add to what sue said, if the cloth type filter is getting dirty and backing up the filter, don't throw it out. just start rinsing it in tank water everytime you do a water change. I have never changed the filter media in my filters since I bought them, just rinse and reuse. Just make sure you rinse with tank water and not tap water or you'll kill all the good bacteria, which is what your throwing away when you get a new filter.
 
Also take a knife and cut the top of the cloth filter and pour out the carbon, it is only good for a couple of weeks anyway. That way it will not slow down your flow and you will just have a mechanical filter. And as stated just rinse the filter in your bucket of old fish water to clean it.
 
I use carbon in all my FW tanks. I have yet to see a correctly done study show that the water quality is better without carbon. Everyone I've read shows the water quality is better with Carbon that is changed regularly.

You can stop replacing those little carbon packs on the UGF uplift tubes. That is usually very expensive for the amount of carbon in them. Replace the filter cartridges in the HOB regularly.

I've yet to see a planted tank that is worst off because the carbon filter is changed out regularly. I seen people try to use that excuse for over 20 years now, never actual seen an example of it.
 
Hello and thanks for the replies. From the looks of it ,it could go either way. I will try reusing the filter and see what that does to my tank. If I don't like the results I will go back to using the carbon. My one question is how do I wash it in tank water. Do I just use the water I pull from the tank in a bucket and just scrub it in that water or do I just kinda push and pull the filter through the water and hope that breaks things up good enough. Thanks
 
Ray Pollett said:
I use carbon in all my FW tanks. I have yet to see a correctly done study show that the water quality is better without carbon. Everyone I've read shows the water quality is better with Carbon that is changed regularly.

You can stop replacing those little carbon packs on the UGF uplift tubes. That is usually very expensive for the amount of carbon in them. Replace the filter cartridges in the HOB regularly.

I've yet to see a planted tank that is worst off because the carbon filter is changed out regularly. I seen people try to use that excuse for over 20 years now, never actual seen an example of it.
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No one is saying that a tank without carbon is better off. It's just that it really isn't needed, and for it to be effective it needs to be changed every few weeks, which is just an extra expense. a lot of people don't use it because it isn't necessary in most cases, unless you have unusually cloudy/dirty water, or you want to remove medication. Otherwise it is just another expense.
 
Needeles said:
Hello and thanks for the replies. From the looks of it ,it could go either way. I will try reusing the filter and see what that does to my tank. If I don't like the results I will go back to using the carbon. My one question is how do I wash it in tank water. Do I just use the water I pull from the tank in a bucket and just scrub it in that water or do I just kinda push and pull the filter through the water and hope that breaks things up good enough. Thanks
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I usually will pour the tank water out over the filter, and that should do the trick. do this over a sink or tub or outside of couse. If you rinse your filters ever or everyother water change, it should keep it from getting too bad.
 
Needeles said:
My one question is how do I wash it in tank water. Do I just use the water I pull from the tank in a bucket and just scrub it in that water or do I just kinda push and pull the filter through the water and hope that breaks things up good enough. Thanks
Click to expand...

Depending how dirty the filter is will depend on what you have to do. If you can get away with just swishing it in the bucket then go for it. You may have to scrub a little thought, you will not get it looking new but you should be able to get the crud out of it.
 
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