rinsing out filter media

[petluvr]

I don't have carbon in any of my tanks, I actually use poly fill instead of any of the more expensive cartridges. I agree with pappy IMO carbon is best used for removing meds. Have you tested your tap water for chlorine/chlorimine? I have well water and just rinse out the poly fill under the tap.

 

[Turbosaurus]

Chuck the carbon. If you ever need to remove meds or chemicals from your water you can add it, other than that, it doesn't do much good and if you run a planted tank its actually bad- or at least a waste- it will "clean out" some of the nutrients your plants need.

I run 11 tanks and haven't used carbon in a filter in 10 years.

 

[jpappy789]

it doesn't do much good and if you run a planted tank its actually bad- or at least a waste- it will "clean out" some of the nutrients your plants need.

As far as I know, there is no documented evidence to support this theory. I'm fairly confident carbon will not clean out NPK or traces that plants need...

 

[yhbae]

I kept carbon just in case I need to remove medicine but I ended up not using it within 3 years of purchasing the filter.

Also, I kept re-using the sponge media too... Never had to buy a new media during the 3 years. Just keep rinsing in the tank water and you are good.

 

[chefjamesscott]

I rinsed it a second time in tank water and that seemed to do the trick. It's not going over the bypass anymore. thanks to all who replied=) I've read that the carbon contained in the filter pad isn't usually very effective after a couple weeks. Does this matter? I read an article here by Goldlenny that suggested removing the carbon from the pad to improve the flow rate. That makes sense if the carbon is no longer useful. Does anyone else do that? There is an initial chamber of water at the beginning of the filter, before the filter media, can I add some carbon to that chamber? Or is the carbon important at all and can I do without it?

i actually took the blue part and the carbon off of the plastic part with a pair of plyers and replaced it with a standard green scrubby and have dropped aqua clear filter bags in where the water flows through the green scrubby

seemed a pain to me to be replacing a cartridge ever 2 weeks when i can drop a filter bag in and leave it there and i dont really replace the filter bag as often as they say i just rinse it like all these others say so as to keep water flowing through it not blocked by it

i usually depend on regular wc to keep my water clean as well as testing to make sure all is good

 

[ryanmr]

I kinda figured the carbon thing was overrated. My tank water looks great and I'm sure the carbon in my filter pads dyed a while ago (the tank has been up & running about 6 weeks). I'm one of those guys who wants to stay far away from doctoring my water if at all possible. thanks for the responses everyone!