Changing Carbon Medium

If not carbon then what? I have a marineland magnum 350 canister + a bio wheel 350. I stagger them so I change 1 every two weeks. I thought the carbon helped remove the bio waste. What else can you use?
 
two things there ray. The LFS doesnt pay enough for a emplayees who know what they are doing. In the case that they do have knowledgable employees, they will loose money by telling us a specific product is not needed.
 
(from an article posted at Michigan State University) Many organic compounds, such as chlorinated and nonchlorinated solvents, gasoline, pesticides and trihalomethanes can be adsorbed by AC (Activated Carbon). AC is also effective for removal of chlorine and moderately effective for removal of some heavy metals. Metals that are bound to organic molecules will also be removed by AC. Fluoride, chloride, nitrate, hardness (calcium and magnesium) and most metal ions are not removed by AC to any significant degree.
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As always, the Skeptical Aquarist has a good summary.

Its too long to quote in full but the short form: many organics including medicines, tannins and solvents: yes. Metals: maybe, some, others not so much. Other stuff (including nitrates) no. Leeching: it'd be really unusual; generally no.

It does do useful stuff and if you understand what it does you can use it for that. It causes no harm (unless your planted): if you don't mind paying for it you can put in a fresh batch every couple of days. Its not necessary and doesn't perform miracles: you still need regular partial water changes. You can leave it be after its no longer chemically active: it makes a nice home for the biofilter and a good mechanical filter, although floss is much cheaper.

raymgnz said:
How come the LFS doesn't know this?
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Floss is much cheaper.
 
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Ray...all I use on the 55 gal and up are Mag 350's. Some have been upgraded with bio wheels. I like the carbon in all of them. Your bio wheels are great...every body affirms what works for them. Doesn't mean the carbon hurts. I also use UG in all tanks and some say RUG only or no UG at all. I also like sponges in the smaller tanks. Don't take one position as the only way. To many variables.

There are different ways to achieve goals, just as the natural world produces different enviorenments for similar species.

What works for some will not work for all.
 
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