I am going to purchase an emperor 280 (I think it is 280) filter. My tank has been up and running for several months now. If I were to buy marineland's diamond carbon, should I go for the black diamond or the diamond blend? One is just carbon, the other contains carbon and zeolite.
Carbon and the like - help
- Thread starter CoreyMac
- Start date
Is there a specific reason you have for getting the carbon? It's actually not necessary unless you are removing tannins from the water, removing chemicals, or controlling odor. It's a good place for bacteria to live, but there are other materials you could stick in the filter instead.
I know exactly how you feel. When I switched to a canister I had 4 trays that were divided in half, giving me 8 possible slots for different filter media.
What was I going to do with all that???!!! Yikes!
I finally decided though... I have floss in the bottom one, and Bio-Max above it. Now don't tell anybody I did this, cuz I don't want to get in trouble or anything, but I left two of them empty.
What was I going to do with all that???!!! Yikes!
I finally decided though... I have floss in the bottom one, and Bio-Max above it. Now don't tell anybody I did this, cuz I don't want to get in trouble or anything, but I left two of them empty.
CaptnDan said:I finally decided though... I have floss in the bottom one, and Bio-Max above it. Now don't tell anybody I did this, cuz I don't want to get in trouble or anything, but I left two of them empty.
EMPTY? EMPTY? ARE YOU INSANE! :joke: HEHE...I know what you mean...tempting to put more stuff in...I also load up floss in the bottom, and then just use lightly packed bio-max in the rest of my fluval chambers. The extra chambers are also good for phosphate sponges, peat, oak or almond leaves for water conditioning, lava rock, etc.
carbon is a waste of money. it removes organic compounds, but so does water changes. if you're removing medications, color, tannins ... then carbon is a good 'temporary' means to do so. other than that, fill those media slots with sponge or floss or any substrate which will grow bacteria and remove debris from the water.
Carbon is pretty temporary anyway. It 'fills up' fast, then it's useless.
It's like a lot of other things - use it as needed for a specific purpose, then discontinue use when the problem is solved.
It's like a lot of other things - use it as needed for a specific purpose, then discontinue use when the problem is solved.
you could try the "super cartradges" that are sold on www.drsfostersmith.com, for they have lots of area space for good bacteria AND if you ever need to medicate the tank they have a slot for carbon- you never have to throw away good bacteria