I have an aquaclear 110 in my 55gal I guess medium planted tank. Every few days I put a small dose of liquid ferts of iron and magnesium and such. Usually anything that looks halfway decent at Petco but going to use Excel next. In my filter is the sponge, bio bags, and a carbon layer. I thought I saw somewhere that the carbon will remove minerals such as iron and magnesium from the water. Am I just wasting my money by using liquid fert and carbon filters?
? about carbon filters and liquid plant fert
- Thread starter illinidorry
- Start date
I don't know for sure but I heard that it is a myth that carbon will remove liquid fertilizer in any amount great enough to have any effect.
So I guess it may remove a tiny bit but not enough to have an effect.
Once again this is just what I have heard.
I personally do use carbon from time to time in my planted aquariums and when I do I don't notice any change in plant growth or anything like that but I also don't use liquid fertilizer (never seen a need for it in my tanks).
So I guess it may remove a tiny bit but not enough to have an effect.
Once again this is just what I have heard.
I personally do use carbon from time to time in my planted aquariums and when I do I don't notice any change in plant growth or anything like that but I also don't use liquid fertilizer (never seen a need for it in my tanks).
I believe carbon is meant to remove organic toxins (ammonia in fish tanks, alcohol in humans) over minerals. I know because I have a carbon filter on my sink for drinking water and the box says it doesn't remove fluoride. Fluoride's a pretty small atom but I still think that iron, magnesium, and potassium will make it through...
I am pretty sure carbon does not remove ammonia. At least not the carbon used in aquariums.
Remove ammonia? Never heard of that. I do not use carbon and don't have an ammonia problem. A properly cycled tank won't have an ammonia problem either.
For some, it helps in water clarity. For others it does nothing. Excel is a replacement for CO2 and can melt certain plants such as vals and anacharis. If you can, avoid the use of chemicals as much as possible. Your fish will be glad you did!
For some, it helps in water clarity. For others it does nothing. Excel is a replacement for CO2 and can melt certain plants such as vals and anacharis. If you can, avoid the use of chemicals as much as possible. Your fish will be glad you did!
I found this site really useful for telling what carbon removes:
http://www.home-water-purifiers-and-filters.com/carbon-water-filter.php
http://www.home-water-purifiers-and-filters.com/carbon-water-filter.php
Activated carbon works by trapping molecules in pores. The manufacturing process determines the pore size of the carbon. Aquarium carbon has a large pore size and only traps larger complex organic molecules like malachite green (365 g/mol) & methylene blue(320 g/mol). Ammonia (17 g/mol), nitrite(46 g/mol) , nitrate (62g/mol), iron (55.84 g/mol), Mg (24 g/mol), and all other mineral fertilizers are way too small to be stuck in the pore.
The site above refers to a different pore sized carbon and is therefore not applicable to aquarium carbon.
The site above refers to a different pore sized carbon and is therefore not applicable to aquarium carbon.
:headbang2:question whats best way to plant plants in the pots or out. lfs says keep them in thier pots.
I think people tend to take them out of their pots.
When you take them out of their pots be sure to remove all of the rock wool they are planted in before putting them in the tank.