Charcoal in filters

Yorkshire lass

Yorkshire lass

AC Members
Nov 13, 2005
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Hi

I am setting a 21gallon tank up, what previously had goldfish.

What is the benefits of charcoal in a filter?

How often do i change it, for fresh charcoal?

Thanks

Ange
 
Charcoal (activated carbon) polishes the water. It is a form of chemical filtration. (Optimally you want all thre types-chemical, biological, and mechanical) It takes impurities out--copper, chlorine, medications--the list is long. This is not a substitute for water changes and gravel vacumimg, however, charcoal is a must have.
 
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Actually, if you read some of the posts on here in regards to charcoal, you'll find that it's not necessary and most people don't use it.

It's mainly used to remove medications from the water and some visible impurities. Dats about it.

Roan
 
I have AC in my filter, I have noticed a great inprovement over the old filters I had, The water stays nicer for longer, just my opinion though
 
I don't normally use carbon either.
However, If I had to choose, I would use something along the lines of 'Seachem's Purigen' over activated carbon for daily/long term use in a filter. The only time I'd ever actually purchase activated carbon would be for quick medication removal.
 
I use it only for removal of chemical contaminations. Meds are the primary concern, and I don't use meds often if ever. If I am painting somewhere around the tank, I put fresh carbon in just in case the paint fumes would add something to the water, or if I install new driftwood I might add it for a few days to clean out the tannins that leach from the wood. All in all I seldom if ever use it. I bought a 1/2 gallon size carton of it 4 years ago (active tank time) and haven't used half of that yet.

If you do use it, Changing it frequently is necessary. It only works for a few days to a couple of weeks before it will be loaded up and no longer operate as a chemical filter. How rapidly it "fills" up is directly correlated to how many contaminants are in your water, so it's hard to say how fast it may or may not load.

All in all I consider AC unnecessary, and have never found any reason to think otherwise.
Dave
 
Thanks for the replys.

Mixed views on it now. I suppose I will use it cos theres a compartment in my filter to put it, and a handy sachet. I am planning on having driftwood so will help there.

Ange
 
Just remember to buy good quality carbon and replace it every 2 weeks to ensure it's effectivness....otherwise it will exhaust and become strickly bio-media.
 
Apparently AC is also a great way to remove color in the water from new driftwood for the first 2-6 months. It has worked for me very well in my first 30 days with rootwood.
 
IME, activated carbon helps remove colour from the water, making it more clear and also helps remove some of that "fishy" smell from the aquarium.
 
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