Carbon remove ammonia?

[Natureboy71]

I have always thought that adding some carbon in your filter media will help to reduce ammonia levels or at least keep them in check.

Today I had a guy at the pet shop tell me carbon is really only used to remove smells, organic particles and to keep the water extra clear? But isn't that basically the helping the ammonia level by doing that?

Would running carbon and ammonia removing media in your filters first then switching back to paper filters (like in magnum 350s') in about 10 days after levels are correct be the best way to go?

I sometimes think I have been running too much carbon in an effort to keep ammonia levels down.

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[plah831]

no, carbon doesn't remove ammonia. It absorbs dissolved organic compounds (DOC's) that are responsible for smell and ugly colors in the water.

Chemical media do exist with the specific purpose of removing ammonia. They are mostly resins, I believe. I don't use them myself, though, and just stick to plain ol' water changes.

 

[Ms.Bubbles]

Carbon is good for removing smells, particles and medication from the water. It does not remove ammonia.

In fact nothing really 'removes' ammonia except for, as plah suggested, water changes. Chemical additives such as Ammo-Lock and Prime can help to de-toxify excessive ammonia in emergency situations, but they are not permanent, long-term solutions. Water changes and a cycled tank are the best solutions IMHO

Edit: I just remembered the one thing that DOES remove ammonia besides water changes--live plants! If you've got a ton of fast-growing plants in the tank (with appropriate fluorescent lighting) they can really suck up ammonia.

 

[plah831]

right on, Ms. B! Absolutely right about Ammo-lock things not being a permanent solution.

thanks for reminding me of the meds thing. Yes, I keep some carbon around in the odd chance that I need to remove some medications from my water. Other than that, I don't have a use for it.

 

[Natureboy71]

But if you were keeping organic waste out of the water with some carbon, would that not prevent that organic waste from creating ammonia before it happens?

 

[plah831]

ah, I see. No, because "organic" compound refers to the fact that it's carbon based. The things that degrade to become ammonia are nitrogen-based, and thus usually contain proteins or are the result of protein decomposition.

great question, Natureboy

 

[Ms.Bubbles]

Mechanical and biological filtration trap aquarium debris and waste (with the filter media) and process/de-toxify it (with the nitrifiers that grow on the filter sponge). Carbon primarily absorbs chemicals.

 

[RustyRay]

Just to clarify, proteins are carbon based molecules. But they contain hydrogen and nitrogen atoms also. So when they are mineralized (decomposed) by bacterial action, ammonia is the final product.

So using activated carbon to removed dissolved organic proteins will help reduce ammonia production.

Basically, while carbon won't directly remove ammonia. It does remove organic chemicals like proteins that contribute to making ammonia.

 

[Natureboy71]

Just to clarify, proteins are carbon based molecules. But they contain hydrogen and nitrogen atoms also. So when they are mineralized (decomposed) by bacterial action, ammonia is the final product.

So using activated carbon to removed dissolved organic proteins will help reduce ammonia production.

Basically, while carbon won't directly remove ammonia. It does remove organic chemicals like proteins that contribute to making ammonia.

Cool. That is what I was thinking. I still like to use a little in my media. Keeps it clear and helps prevent ammonia problems along with water changes and a good biological balance.

 

[Rbishop]

But the volume of carbon required to do that is prohibitive at the typical home tank level. You will get some ammonia control, but no where what is needed to rely on it alone. A healthy established tank is the effective key for ammonia removal, with regular water changes, and without the added expense or labor.