do you use carbon?

[fish_freak]

Im always debating with myself about weather I should or not because of all the pros and cons I hear about it. I currently use it in 2 of 4 tanks and the water seems more sparkling in those tanks and am thinking of putting back in my other two but I worry about HITH with my cichlids.
what are your thoughts?

 

[resk]

i own carbon for utility purposes only
after i treat a tank with medicine, like ich treatment
i use the carbon to help remove the medicine

i might use carbon all the time if:
-i don't need to grow live plants
-i don't rely on carbon as the primary filtration

carbon isn't a great biological filter, be sure to have another filter to perform this

carbon as a mechanical filter.. it doesn't seem that great either.
a powerhead with a sponge filter would be more effective (and you can clean it / reuse it )

it does do a nice job of polishing your water for clarity in a short time period.

you can get the same clarity with regular water changes, the key is your consistency

 

[aquariumfishguy]

I haven't had a disease outbreak in my tank in a long time now so I don't have a use for Carbon. Infact, I dont recommend newbies use it since it comes with such difficulties for those who are uneducated on the topic.

 

[fish_freak]

I ment carbon along with other media. I also do huge water changes once a week. The only reason I have it in two tanks and not two others is because I use cartridges that come with it in those tanks

 

[somefinnfishy]

I use it only to pull meds only.
My take on carbon is it is risky to use as it masks odors and hazy water conditions with out removing the causes.
Its like you and deodorant use as much as you want still dont mean you dont need to shower.

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

I don't know. I use it in both my 20 gal and 33 gal aquaclears. I've heard conflicting ideas on the subject, but i've always just kept it in there. I only change it when the bag starts to deteriorate.

I've never had any problems with it and my tanks are beautifully heathly. I've never had any disease outbreaks either, never even ich. Thats probebly besides the point, though.

 

[TKOS]

I haven't used it since gettng back in. We used to use it when I was a kid in the filter but now just floss and sponges for me. As I work with the stuff I know just how long it doesn't last so it is more of a waste than anything, IMO.

 

[Must4ng s4lly]

I use carbon /floss filters as a combo and they seem fine! Of course I have bio filtration too. Two years no probs.....

 

[bayoupr]

I don't use carbon but have used chemi-pure which if I were still using today would swear by the stuff. Used it for years and years and loved the stuff. but I'm now in the middle of converting over to strictly sponge filters on my tanks. But if I go back to cannisters or HOB's, I'll go back to chemi-pure.