does activated carbon, like the black diamond kind, interfere with liquid fertilizers for plant? the same way AC removes medications?
liquid fertilizer and activated carbon
- Thread starter slvrcvc
- Start date
Yes it does. You really shouldn't need AC in your filter, although it's good to keep some on hand in case of accidental chemical contamination. water changes help, but it's best to add some AC too. Generally though, there's no need. It will remove a lot of the fertilizer though.
There is no need for a diligent and consciencious fishkeeper to have activated carbon in their tank full time. Regular water changes, proper feeding and stocking are the keys, ac is just a band aid measure if you don't have those right.
Keep some on hand for any time you need to medicate (for after medication).
To answer your question, yes, it will adsorb the chelated elements you're trying to add for your plants.
Keep some on hand for any time you need to medicate (for after medication).
To answer your question, yes, it will adsorb the chelated elements you're trying to add for your plants.
does penguin offer there cartridges without the charcoal in them? I have bought one and there cartrdige came with the charcoal when I set it up a month or month and half ago. I have the big al's and foster and smith catalogs. They didn't have any listed in there that claim to retrofit in the same slot which of course is custom shaped to use there refill.
I don't know, but if they don't (which would be surprising, but possible) you can cut open the cartridge and pour the carbon into a ziplock bag or tupperware for later use. Then pack the cartridge with filter floss or wool.
Carbon won't last long anyway, so if it's been there for a while, it's probably useless by now. You can leave it in if that's the case. You shouldn't really need to change your filter media unless there's a problem.
To the best of my knowledge they don't offer cartidges without AC in them, one of my chief complaints with Marineland (otherwise I'm a big fan of their products) I cut Big als bulk sponge to fit in the media well and use that instead. I have also cut the cartridges , and dumped them in the past. I usually don't buy new cartidges but add new bonded filter material to them when the original gets bad.
Dave
