FishProfiles.com Message Forums

hi all just started a betta tank, well actually just put a filter and heater in as my fish got really sick last winter! i did have a massive sword in it growing slow but heathy and also a small crypt. i have now ditched the sword in favour of some more crypts. the tank sits on the kitchen bench witha sunlight as its light source! not growing algae!
ok now that ive wasted your time with my little intro im just wondering if i should use a little carbon or leave it out?

Hi,
Welcome to Fish Profiles!

From your description of the tank and the fish, there is
no "need" for the use of carbon. Carbon would remove any
tannins being released by driftwood, it will remove the
last traces of any medications, and will remove many of
the organic compounds from the water such as some of the
nutrients that your plants need for growth.

Since you have no yellowing of the water by driftwood,
you have not medicated the tank for disease, and your
tank is not over stocked, I'd suggest that you skip the
carbon, and use a piece of sponge to take up the space
in the filter that the carbon would normally occupy.

If you elect to use carbon, then remember that over a
brief period of time, it adsorbs all that it can and then
instead of being a chemical and mechanical filter, it just
becomes a mechanical filter that eventually clogs up
with "junk" from the tank. Depending upon the stocking
of the tank, as well as what, and how much you feed
the fish the carbon may not do both jobs
(chemical & mechanical filtering) after as little as
two weeks in the filter. It must be replaced, and that
is just another expense that probably will not be
necessary.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

As Frank explained Carbon is good for specific purposes in your tank. Depending on your local water supply it will/can remove some of the impurities in you water supply. Also as Frank explained it MUST be tossed out and replaced, the length of time it is in the tank will depend totally on the problem.
I had a small Ich (White spot) problem in my small 45 lt tank and I used a Carbon filter pad for one week only to remove any remaining medications. I checked with Seachem maker of liquid ferts I use and they told me it was safe to use when using liquid ferts.

I hope this helps you, and you certainly did not waste time by explaining in detail of your concern.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

excellent guys thankyou very much!!!
the filter was much larger power filter but ive removeed the 2 sponge canister to fit it in the tank (budget) and ive cut up the sponge and stuck 3 smaller pices in the inlet and wacked the cap on so now ill just alternate which sponge im rinsing!
i had thought this was the case but just had to make sure!!!