I was over at simplydiscus.com and found a discus basics section that says "Don't use carbon in the filter (this can lead to disease in discus)". Many other people over there do not use carbon because it "removes good nutrients from the water the fish need to thrive". I've never heard of this before. I always thought carbon in the filter was a good thing for removing impurities. Anybody else's thoughts?
Carbon or no Carbon in filter?
- Thread starter thewarning
- Start date
It is up to the individuals water quality. I use it in all my discus tanks. I know others that don't. You will need to do deep research on your specific water quality and what discus needs are, and if carbon is beneficial for you and them.
i dont use carbon but doesnt mean everyone shouldnt. like RB said look at your set up if you think you need it use it. if you use it and dont think its helping stop and see what happens.
I have never kept Discus (Disci?), but my understanding is that they need excellent quality, soft, acidic water. Aggressive chemical filtration will give you excellent quality water that is soft, which will usually lead to a lower pH. I would recommend a cannister filter with no chemical filtration and then an Emperor or Penguin filter HOB. The Marineland cartridges have some carbon, and it is a good quality carbon. I consider this a "middle of the road" set-up. Also consider that aggressive chemical filtration usually presents problems with planted tanks and with medicating tanks.
Carbon can and does take some of the good 'trace' elements out of the water it also absorbs a lot of the bad stuff (and smelly stuff). I alternate...about every 3 or 4 filter changes I throw in a bag of well washed carbon.(remeber not to 'completely' clean your filter as you need to leave some of the bacteria in there to rebuild its colony)
I'm not sure if this is actually doing my fish any great benefit (or harm) but it gives me piece of mind.
If you are going to use carbon in your filter, make sure you use a good qulity one (the cheap ones have much more 'fines' in with it - some believe it is this very fine carbon powder that can cause the problems) and wash it thouroghly b4 use.
Some people say that carbon can cause problems like hole in the head and lateral line decay, although there seems to be a divide and much debate on the subject. (If your fish get Hole in the Head etc, the first thing many say to do is remove the carbon)
Remember if your adding stresszyme or any medication to your tank the carbon will suck it right out of the water.
I'm not sure if this is actually doing my fish any great benefit (or harm) but it gives me piece of mind.
If you are going to use carbon in your filter, make sure you use a good qulity one (the cheap ones have much more 'fines' in with it - some believe it is this very fine carbon powder that can cause the problems) and wash it thouroghly b4 use.
Some people say that carbon can cause problems like hole in the head and lateral line decay, although there seems to be a divide and much debate on the subject. (If your fish get Hole in the Head etc, the first thing many say to do is remove the carbon)
Remember if your adding stresszyme or any medication to your tank the carbon will suck it right out of the water.
Lupin
Registered Member
- Sep 21, 2006
- 21,430
- 13
- 0
- Real Name
- Paul
Most discus can adapt to water conditions whether it is soft and acidic or not. I find it best to match your water chemistry with that of the breeders or lfs so the discus won't have trouble adapting by a large difference in water chemistry. Wild ones, on other hand, will need more attention and are best kept in the same conditions as they do in the wild.
Captive-bred discus are hardier than most people think.
We just need to avoid a lot of issues that will be detrimental to their health. Preventing diseases and other issues is better than curing and fixing diseases and issues respectively.