HOB media

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stephybabe88

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Aug 8, 2010
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So I keep reading that carbon in filters is less than desirable unless trying to remove something (meds, salt, etc.) from the water. All of the filter cartridges I see have carbon already in them. What do you use for HOB media?

*I have an Aqeon 30 and 55/75 and another old HOB that I bought used with my tank and don't know the brand.
 

Jojocircus

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Aug 15, 2012
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From my understanding its because it ads phosphate & promotes algae growth. Its also discourged because its often used instead of regular water changes. That being said I allways use it in one of my filters & change very regulary + weekly water changes. Its the only chemical filtration I ever use In my other filters I use bonded filter material alone as my water quality is allways perfect. I culture spot algae as my backround scraping it periodicaly as fish food.

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Jojocircus

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Aug 15, 2012
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Its that blue meshy stuff glued to or wraped around the plastic replaceable filter. No question is dumb unless asked many times ( fellow blondie:)

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jpappy789

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Feb 18, 2007
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My understanding is that good carbon media wont leach any noticeable amount of phosphorus.

That being said, it has a limited amount of time when it is actually useful...unlike other media, it needs to be replaced on a regular basis. That's what makes those cartridges such a money-maker for manufacturers. People think you need them because they come with most filters, but I just don't find it necessary unless I would need to remove something from the water like meds (I would rather have tannins, personally). I'd rather maximize the amount of sponges or filter floss.
 

countryboy

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Jul 20, 2012
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Yes just cut the sheets to fit. The blocks are for......anything you want in filtration.
 

Rbishop

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I love high quality carbon..for it's primary function and as a biomedia...
 

stephybabe88

AC Members
Aug 8, 2010
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Texas
So I guess my question is, am I hurting anything? I have read some things that say it can remove nutrients from the water. Since I am only dosing liquid ferts, is it just removing them when I add them? Or is this anoyher one of those things that I will get a different answer depending on who I ask?


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