I know that generally you use a carbon filter to remove the rest of any medication you have in your tank and should remove it within a month. I was wondering if there are any other uses for the carbon filter, such as keeping the water clearer or helping keep down algae growth.:help:
Other uses for carbon filters
- Thread starter Litespeed
- Start date
Carbon removes odors, impurities in the water. Removes medications after treatment. Polishes water. Carbon is alot like bio-media it is very porous and absorbs undesirables very well. It does lose it's effectiveness rather quickly (2 weeks or so). Many ppl swear by it. It is not necessary but there are pros for using it.
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Could you expand on that a little? Are the minerals that it removes also undesirable in planted tanks? Or can you use carbon in a planted tank also?
yes, it removes many minerals. But unless you know your tap water and what you desire for the fish you keep, it may be a trade off.
For me, the clarity it provides, far out weighs anything it may do. A water change does not equate to making the water clearer. The use of carbon makes a dramatic improvement.
The arguements on carbon for planted tanks are endless. Too many variables.
The biggest issues on carbon is the quality and quanity provided in standard filter pads and cartridges.
Use what you see is beneficial for you and your tank conditions.
For me, the clarity it provides, far out weighs anything it may do. A water change does not equate to making the water clearer. The use of carbon makes a dramatic improvement.
The arguements on carbon for planted tanks are endless. Too many variables.
The biggest issues on carbon is the quality and quanity provided in standard filter pads and cartridges.
Use what you see is beneficial for you and your tank conditions.
not quite off topic I hope...I use Polyfilter in my filters for water clarity, and it is supposed to have a certain effect on undesirable dissolved organic compounds including nitrate, which I take with a grain of salt...have you tried that stuff rbishop and if so how does it compare with properly sourced and used carbon (which I am considering) ?
ok i really dont think carbon is going to effect a planted tank much at all. nothing adding a little flourish or Plantex CSM+B cant fix.