Charcoal To Use or Not To Use

[Cafrye]

I have been reading that it isn't necessary to have charcoal in your aquarium filter. It is only need to remove unwanted chemical stuff.

Do you use charcoal?
Why or Why not?

 

[bkiggy]

I use it + Purigen to keep water clear; driftwood makes water yellow

 

[Rivercats]

In a planted tank you don't want to use carbon as it removes alot of the fertilizer that you add in. Purgen is good for removing organics such as tannins but won't remove any of the ferts you add in. Purgen is also great at polishing the water.

 

[DavidAl]

The only time I use carbon is to remove meds or if something is out of kilter and I can't figure out what's going on.

David