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I'm familiar with activated carbon but i was still curious as to what are the specific effects that it has on water quality. i.e. hardness,alkalinity,ph,etc.

Also, will it interfere with me using discus beffer?

I dont think activated carbon will change anything as in parameters. The buffer wont really change because it only affects the water parameters. Its not like it is harmful or a medicine. Thats basically what carbon removes, harmful chemicals.

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Hi,
Carbon does not directly affect things like pH, GH, KH.
It does adsorb organic compounds.
Here is a site that discusses Carbon use in a filter:
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=139488

And another:
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~delbeek/homerf2.html

Frank


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

Amazonia,

The use of carbon in an aquarium stirs many discussions. Laura Muha wrote an article in Tropical Fish Hobbyist under "The Skeptical Fishkeeper" in 2006 that discussed the pros and cons of carbon use.

Since it does absorb organic compounds, it should take care of that nasty discus beffer that you are adding to your aquarium.

I did notice from a previous post that you are using a de-ionizing filter to eliminate high alkalinity that you must treat by adding discus beffer to increase your alkalinity.

My tap water has a total hardness of 120-250 ppm. total alkalinity- 300+ppm ph- 8.2

So, what do you want for your General Hardness (GH) and Carbonate or Temporary Hardness (KH)? The following link takes you to a discussion of water parameters:
http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html.

Deionized water (DI) has no discernible hardness. This condition is very unhealthy for any fish and will kill them. You are adding the beffer to add back hardness. However, you have an inexpensive hardness source - your tap water. Why not mix tap water and the DI water to reach your desired hardness level?

Test your DI water for hardness and then test your tap water and have both re-tested at your LFS to make sure that your tests are accurate. If your target for KH is 150 ppm and DI water is 0 ppm with tap water at 300 ppm, use a 50/50 mix of DI water and tap water for your water changes. No messy discus beffer!

It will also save the membrane on that DI filter that you bought.



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