Carbon - What's wrong with it???

[hermxl1]

I've heard the discussions about carbon not being affective over long periods But after seeing the last Poll on who uses carbon, I'm wondering why everyone doesn't use it continually.

I keep my carbon fresh in my tanks ( wet/dry trickle filter 220g, 2 penguin bio wheels 55g). And changing it every other month or so makes me feel like I'm getting some nice water polishing. Am I wrong????

 

[LongTime]

Define "water polishing?" It does not filter out small particles and is primarily a chemical filtration media. It will remove oders and some colors. A tank in good shape does not have any oder and no color. It can serve as a bio bed but there are other things that are better. It will also remove certain chemicals but they wouldn't be in your tank anyway, unless you added them and then you wouldn't want to take them out. The naturally occuring ones like ammonia and nitrite are beaing dealt with by the bacteria. Nitrate is going out with the water changes and your plants.

 

[hermxl1]

Its my understanding that carbon also attracts some small particles. Removing this small particles helps to keep the water clear.

Of course I could be wrong, which is why I'm posting this now.

 

[bayoupr]

I don't use carbon or (Chemi Pure) which I used regularly anymore. The only thing in my filters now are sponges. My water is crystal clear and my parameters are excellent. And it's cheap and easy to clean.

 

[RTR]

All of the standard constant-use mechanical filter media (floss, sponges, pads, etc.) are limited in particle sizes which they will capture. Diatom and other sub-micron level capture techniques are not suited to constant use, but will - by caturing the finest particles - give much clearer water. Folks who already have good standard media in use can add things such as HOT Magnums with its micron sleeves for routine use with weekly trade-out of sleeves for cleaning to achieve about the same effect as diaton filtration. I confess I am too lazy for that.

 

[beviking]

I say if it makes you feel better and it works then stick with it. It doesn't make you wrong. I choose not to use disposable media (only sponges, ceramic noodles, bioballs) and my water is excellent (parameters, clarity, and odor). In part it is because I'm too cheap to spend $ on something that I don't need (or is that wise instead of cheap?). Either way, it's less $.

 

[roliva]

I think if you keep your water parameters stable, carbon is not needed. My water stays very clear mechanically using sponges and polyester floss.

 

[roliva]

I forgot to mention I did not use carbon for several years.

 

[TKOS]

After a week to 2 weeks at most carbon merely becomes as good place for bacteria to live. As was mentioned if you feel happy using it then go right ahead. But carbon does not attract small particulates. The holes in carbon are far too small for that to happen.

 

[hermxl1]

Thanks for all the info. I was under the impression that carbon is not a necessity, but helps give your water a more crystal clear appearance (not that that's necessary either) as ChicoRaton mentioned here: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32557

In any case, I think I'll stick with it cuz it hasn't hurt me at this point.