Treating with melafix?

[Flying_Diamond]

I bought some melafix the other day, and it says that you have to treat the tank for 7 days... and it says to remove the carbon if there is any.. isn't carbon the stuff in the cartridge for my filter? What exactly is carbon and what do I need to do to treat the tank?

 

[Star_Rider]

yes, carbon(activated) is the black stuff you see in some filter media.

carbon absorbs nasties in the water(for about 2 weeks if your lucky) that's why they recommend pulling it.

if the activated carbon is old(2 weeks) you can leave it in.
some filter media you dont have the option to remove the carbon.

 

[Squawkbert]

I bought some melafix the other day, and it says that you have to treat the tank for 7 days... and it says to remove the carbon if there is any.. isn't carbon the stuff in the cartridge for my filter? What exactly is carbon and what do I need to do to treat the tank?

Pull the cartridge from your filter and replace it w/ some plain filter floss. The object of removing the carbon is to keep it from absorbing the melafix. After treatment, do a 50% PWC, repeat a day or two later and put the cartridge back in the filter (rinse it in some of the tank water left from your last PWC first).

 

[Coler]

...and for info on carbon check out this link http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94711

and there's another one in the articles forum just below it...but I can only cut and paste one link at a time.

 

[Flying_Diamond]

ok, thanks.. soo, my cartridge is fairly new.. got it last week, should I just take it out and put it in a bowl of water from the tank untill the 7 days is up?