Aqua Clear filter Media

[Tyler3533]

So recently I was cleaning out the foam in my aqua clear 50. And I was picking up the carbon and the bag completely fell apart. I went to the store today to replace the carbon with something. I decided to actually use another foam pad instead of the carbon because I did not replace the carbon for a couple of months and my tank was doing fine. And I realized today the carbon should be change every month or it's useless.

So my questions are:

Do you actually need carbon in the filter?

The guy at my LFS said the carbon was the stuff that actually cleaned the water?? (Confused??wrong?)

My current set up now is 2 foam pad then the bio bag on top. The tank is 29gal about 80% stocked with bi weekly water changes of 60-70%. Been up and stable for 6 months(no deaths). Is my filter fine?

 

[Jmunroe]

You don't need the carbon. Waste of filter space. You should have got another bio max for the filter. Foam on bottom, then 2 layers of bio max. This combo will maximize your bio filtration.

 

[Jmunroe]

Buy the way the guy at the LFS told you that because he likes the steady income of people coming in once a month to buy carbon replacements.

 

[Ian086]

So recently I was cleaning out the foam in my aqua clear 50. And I was picking up the carbon and the bag completely fell apart. I went to the store today to replace the carbon with something. I decided to actually use another foam pad instead of the carbon because I did not replace the carbon for a couple of months and my tank was doing fine. And I realized today the carbon should be change every month or it's useless.

So my questions are:

Do you actually need carbon in the filter?

The guy at my LFS said the carbon was the stuff that actually cleaned the water?? (Confused??wrong?)

My current set up now is 2 foam pad then the bio bag on top. The tank is 29gal about 80% stocked with bi weekly water changes of 60-70%. Been up and stable for 6 months(no deaths). Is my filter fine?

I agree with the not needing carbon reply. You could get a medium course pad and put some polyfil in there. The polyfil will do the same/better job of polishing the water. Also a big bag of polyfil will last years for a couple of dollars!!!
PS... Carbon only needed to remove meds from the water.....

 

[Kvnr14]

I agree also, I run the foam on bottom then 2 bags if bio max in mine. You really only need carbon if you need to remove medication from your tank. Oh and I also throw filter fiber in the mix to keep my water crystal clear.