carbon filtration - Aquarium Advice

Big Ben · 06-19-2007, 08:06 PM

I just took the carbon out of my filter after I read somewhere that it removes certain elements plants need to grow. Is this true?

Hoovercat · 06-19-2007, 08:46 PM

I read somewhere that it removes certain elements plants need to grow. Is this true?

No one's proven that rumor AFAIK. That said, there's not really any good reason to run carbon on a planted tank if you're not removing medication or such.

Glenc · 06-20-2007, 10:45 AM

As Hoovercat mentioned, carbon is usually used to remove meds or to remove the brownish tannins you sometimes get when first putting in driftwood. Whatever beneficial effects carbon may have will be exhausted in a couple of weeks as the carbon becomes saturated. I have removed all the carbon from my filters as well with no ill effects.

newfound77951 · 06-20-2007, 11:20 AM

Same here, I have never used carbon in my planted 55. I always keep some on hand in case I need it, though.

Carbon will remove some nutrients, as well as organic matter. How much, I don't know, it would make a nice experiment! It definitely would change as the carbon ages which would make dosing nutrients tough as you'd have another variable to deal with.

06-19-2007, 08:06 PM	#1
Big Ben Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 245 Images: 7	carbon filtration I just took the carbon out of my filter after I read somewhere that it removes certain elements plants need to grow. Is this true?

06-20-2007, 10:45 AM	#3
Glenc Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,075	As Hoovercat mentioned, carbon is usually used to remove meds or to remove the brownish tannins you sometimes get when first putting in driftwood. Whatever beneficial effects carbon may have will be exhausted in a couple of weeks as the carbon becomes saturated. I have removed all the carbon from my filters as well with no ill effects. __________________ 125 gallon, Crypt green gecko, Crypt undulata "broad leaf" Lobelia cardinalis small and large form. H.corymbosa "compact" Crypt parva, Downoi, Bacopa. 2x 150 Wt 10000k HQI Metal Halide, 2x 65 Wt 6700k-Colourmax

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06-19-2007, 08:46 PM	#2
Hoovercat Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Memphis,Tn US Posts: 438	I read somewhere that it removes certain elements plants need to grow. Is this true? No one's proven that rumor AFAIK. That said, there's not really any good reason to run carbon on a planted tank if you're not removing medication or such.