To use carbon or not?

naturegrl

naturegrl

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Sep 29, 2008
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I'm sure there are other discussions on this but I want to ask specifically about using it or not in my Magnum h.o.t. 250 filter. I've been using ammocarb in the basket of my filter. I read conflicting oppinions on the subject. I recently had to treat my 55 gal. tank for ich (long story). Seems to be gone now. Put the carbon back in the filter but now I'm wondering if I should be using it at all now that it's been in there for a week or so? If I don't use carbon, shouldn't there be somehting else in the basket to filter out junk floating around in the water? I do have the blue spongy sleeve on the outside of the filter that I rinse out periodically but it won't do a good enough job of clearing the water, I'm afraid.

Thanks,
Tina
 
Carbon honestly comes down to need, where as you need it to remove meds and what not. Preference then comes into play. Personally i am a carbon person, i like it, i think it benefits the water and keeps it clear. Many water treatment plants use carbon for this reason. It's a good cleaner to me. PEople who dont use carbon tend to add extra of the other media that they use whether it be ziloite, or ammocarb. Media in generally is your preference as a whole.

Downside to carbon is its shortlifespan and need to be chnage every 2-4 weeks. If you dont mind changing it so often, its not such a bad idea.

I have an eheim 2217 canister and my plan is to use the media which it came with, which includes a carbon pad. After the carbon pad goes i am just adding extra of the other media which i dont know off hand. I plan to get a seperate canister filter later on, probably a smaller eheim eco canister which lends itself to easy priming and media changing and filling that up with carbon.

Like i said, it is really up to you. the community is very 50/50 on the subject as you have read most liekly and thats always the feeling i get when a carbon post pops up
 
I agree. In any case I would remove the carbon you have in there now- it has absorbed the ich medication, and should be disposed of to prevent the medication from leaching back out. In a healthy tank carbon can help give you that 'crystal clear' look, but if you're like me, you're not too worried about that extra polish. I run carbon only when there is a specific reason to do so, and otherwise use the freed up space for additional bio media.
 
Additional bio media?

What do you suggest?
 
Taking med filled carbon out tomorrow. Thanks for the help. What other types of media would you put in the basket?

Tina
 
well, I'm not too sure... depends on how much you want to spend...
 
I bout a bag of pillow "Polyfill" at Wally world. It will last me a long time. I just pack it in the top basket. And it works fine.
My 46G BF is clear even shortly after a WC.

Charles
 
I also fill the media basket with poly-fil batting. I do not use carbon (by choice) and have no issues with it. I find the filter works very well and I have no complaints other than it takes a while to clean it out.

The media basket is for your use as you see the need for and yes, carbon in one half is very common. The carbon is a good way to remove toxicants and meds. I have the great fortune of not needing them. As far as Ich treatment goes, I use just heat and salt. I allow the salt to become diluted through the normal water changes.
 
When using the Polyfil, how often do you change it out or clean it?

Great idea by the way! Love this board!

Tina
 
You'll just have to see how quickly it gets clogged up. I have polyfil in my biggest tank; I have to rinse it about once a week and change it once a month, but you may not need to be so rigorous.
 
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