FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello I'm new to this forum. I have these Emperor power filters on my tanks, I keep reading different places that the activated carbon is not a good thing to use unless you are trying to get meds or something else out. These filters have extra media containers you can put whatever you want in. I was wondering about some suggestions for that, and something else I could use in place of the cartridges that have the activated carbon in them. I have a 72 gal. and a 55 gal. with discus and tetras in both tanks. I have these power filters on both tanks 2 on the 72 and 1 on the 55. Thanks for any help

<')))><

Hi sonflowerjoela............ welcome to FP!

I'm new also. I haven't read that the activated carbon is not a good thing to use. I use those premade filter pads with the carbon also. Do you happen to have a link to an article where I can read what it says?

Hi,
Actually, activated carbon is NOT a bad thing. For years
we used to pack our HOB filters with granulated carbon and
top it off with what we called "filter floss" or "Filter
wool." We'd buy the carbon in boxes and oh what a mess it
could create! Now they combine the carbon, in granules,
and "bag" it with the fabric into one package.

The carbon binds, I believe the "chemical term" is
adsorbs much of the organic compounds to the surfaces
of the granules and effectively removes them from the water
helping to "purify" or filter the tank water.

Except in very specialized tanks, we now realize that THE
way to have clean, clear water, is by performing regular
water changes and vacuuming the substrate, in sections,
a section at a time. Now many use carbon out of habit, or
because they have large bio loads (lots of fish) in a given
tank, and the carbon will "remove" the fish urea.

The thing is, it is not necessary.
With todays filters, you really don't need the expense of
carbon.

Depending upon the bio load of the tank, the carbon
must be replaced, not cleaned, every other week and
that can be expensive.
With todays filters, the only time carbon is necessary
is after treatment of the tank with medication.
The carbon will "capture" some of the compounds that
make up the medication and remove it.
That is why the instructions that come with very
nearly every medication say to remove the carbon from the
filter while medicating the tank. After the treatment
period, you would do a large water change and then add
carbon to the filter to remove all traces of the
medication.
Another use of carbon is to remove the tannins that leech
out of driftwood and turn the tank water yellow to a tea
like color. Carbon will remove the tannic acid that causes
that coloration.

Those prepackaged, packets, of carbon and filter material
are expensive. Simply replacing them with sponge is
far less expensive, and the sponge can take years to break
down and need to be replaced.

There is also some evidence that using carbon in a filter,
and adding fertilizer to the tank for the plants is a waste
as the carbon binds up some of the elements that the plants
need.

Most/many folks simply skip the carbon and use sponge
in its place in their filters. Then if they need carbon
at some time, they simply replace part of the sponge with
the carbon.

Today, carbon has its uses, but it is not absolutely
necessary.

Frank


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

Frank- What do you mean by sponge? A new sponge like for the kitchen or something made for aquarium filters, called a sponge? I assume if aquarium, I could buy it at most any pet store?

Hi,
Actually any clean, unused sponge could work, but for
safety's sake I would check with your LFS. They should
have bulk sponge available. Most of todays filters have
a compartment for one of their sponges to fit in. Simply
purchase two or three more and use them to fill the space
the carbon would normally take up. Or, if your filter
uses the "packet" look in the replacement racks for sponges
for other filters that will fit (may take some trimming
or more than one or two) in yours.

Frank


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

I don't know about sponges in the US, but here in AUS, many kitchen sponges are clearly labelled as not safe to be used in aquariums.

I'd go the LFS and buy the appropriate sponges there.

Cheers
TW

Ok, I got it. Thanks guys!