what carbon to get ?? - Aquarium Advice

littledevil · 12-23-2005, 02:57 PM

Hi guys I'm in the uk and was needing some carbon , so I went to my local pet shop and got some 100g for £2.30 and my friend says that I was getting ripped off I should get the charcoal stuff for the barbecue its the same thing

is he right on this one or not ??

Apocalypse_Gold · 12-23-2005, 03:08 PM

The aquarium stuff is much more refined and thus safer. It wont have added chemicals either. Generally, you should not need carbon as it doesn't actually do much for your aquarium. It stops working in around a week anyway and you have to remove it to add most medications. The general consensus on this forum is to leave it out unless you are removing medications from the water, post treatment.

**Zagz** · 12-23-2005, 06:44 PM

Very true about not needing carbon unless removing meds from water. Use filter floss instead, can be bought at walmart or sewing stores, it is 100% pure polyester filling for pillows. It is much cheaper and you can cut it to fit each individual filter.

Lonewolfblue · 12-23-2005, 11:14 PM

The use of carbon is mainly to remove meds, as well as clear the water if you have driftwood. And like it was stated above, will need to be replaced weekly, as it gets used up.

And a lot of charcoal may have other additives which can affect the tank as well. [acronym:fe99b66f7c="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:fe99b66f7c] not aquarium safe.

rich311k · 12-23-2005, 11:26 PM

No need for [acronym:ad4d084b37="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:ad4d084b37] unless you have medicine or tannins or suspect some kind of contaminent is in the tank. I would not put charcaol in my filter. It is not [acronym:ad4d084b37="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:ad4d084b37] it is processed hard wood.

gohabs9 · 12-23-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littledevil

my friend says that I was getting ripped off I should get the charcoal stuff for the barbecue its the same thing

is he right on this one or not ??

thats pretty funny actually...

i dont think it would be a good idea

Blazeherd2306 · 12-23-2005, 11:54 PM

I always have some in case I need to get rid of meds, but otherwise I put bio max in its place.

littledevil · 12-24-2005, 06:21 AM

now I know cheers guys :P

Simpte · 12-24-2005, 12:32 PM

If your carbon gets used up in a week, something is wrong here, either too much in the water (more matainance required) or poor quality carbon is being used. Beware of [acronym:a3d770df5a="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:a3d770df5a] that claims to be phosphate free. Acid washed carbons are perferred as they will leach less. Coconut shell based carbons are also undesireable as they are more for filtering gasses than water. Not as porous.

12-23-2005, 02:57 PM	#1
littledevil Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 43	what carbon to get ?? Hi guys I'm in the uk and was needing some carbon , so I went to my local pet shop and got some 100g for £2.30 and my friend says that I was getting ripped off I should get the charcoal stuff for the barbecue its the same thing is he right on this one or not ??

12-23-2005, 03:08 PM	#2
Apocalypse_Gold Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Utah USA Posts: 803	The aquarium stuff is much more refined and thus safer. It wont have added chemicals either. Generally, you should not need carbon as it doesn't actually do much for your aquarium. It stops working in around a week anyway and you have to remove it to add most medications. The general consensus on this forum is to leave it out unless you are removing medications from the water, post treatment. __________________ Long live the UGF!

12-23-2005, 11:14 PM	#4
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	The use of carbon is mainly to remove meds, as well as clear the water if you have driftwood. And like it was stated above, will need to be replaced weekly, as it gets used up. And a lot of charcoal may have other additives which can affect the tank as well. [acronym:fe99b66f7c="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:fe99b66f7c] not aquarium safe. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-24-2005, 12:32 PM	#9
Simpte Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 436	If your carbon gets used up in a week, something is wrong here, either too much in the water (more matainance required) or poor quality carbon is being used. Beware of [acronym:a3d770df5a="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:a3d770df5a] that claims to be phosphate free. Acid washed carbons are perferred as they will leach less. Coconut shell based carbons are also undesireable as they are more for filtering gasses than water. Not as porous. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...oapebanner.jpg

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12-23-2005, 11:26 PM	#5
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	No need for [acronym:ad4d084b37="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:ad4d084b37] unless you have medicine or tannins or suspect some kind of contaminent is in the tank. I would not put charcaol in my filter. It is not [acronym:ad4d084b37="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:ad4d084b37] it is processed hard wood.

12-23-2005, 11:54 PM	#7
Blazeherd2306 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2004 Location: U.S. Posts: 1,723 Images: 5	I always have some in case I need to get rid of meds, but otherwise I put bio max in its place.

12-24-2005, 06:21 AM	#8
littledevil Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 43	now I know cheers guys :P

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