Carbon or no carbon?

[Yellow Eye Tang]

I've been reading some of the forums and thought I'd throw this question out. I have been replacing regular carbon filters in my 20g tank. Recently, with the laterite, liquid ferts, and root tabs I am starting to see plant growth for the first time in a LONG time. I am starting to get a bit of algae growth though. I minimize the amount of light in the tank to about 6 hours a day. (Just a reminder, I've have a duel 32w 6500k florescent setup for a total of 65W) Anyway, someone was saying the carbon takes the plants nutrients out of the water and it should not be used in a planted tank. Thanks for your response

 

[BigJim]

I've heard a lot of mixed opinions about carbon and plant nutrients. I don't run carbon simply because I don't need it.

With 65W of fluorescent light over a 20g your plants should be growing like weeds. I don't see any mention of CO2. If you're not injecting CO2, I would try it. A simple DIY CO2 system should be good enough to test if carbon is the missing ingredient. You might have to increase your photo period a bit with the CO2.

Look at the LED link in my signature. That's a 20H with 30W of LED lighting, CO2 injection, and a PPS Pro fert regimen. I've got high-light plants thriving under those conditions. Your tank should be growing similarly.

 

[Yellow Eye Tang]

Thanks Jim,... WOW that is simply a SWEET setup you've made!!! I'm gonna start a DIY CO2 setup tonight and see what happens. Last time I couldn't stabilize it with my DIY and grew some nice funky hair algae. Gonna try again, get a test kit, and see if it blooms like I've always wanted. Thanks BigJim!

 

[BigJim]

Thank you for the complement. Good luck. DIY CO2 should be good enough for proof of concept. If you're serious about a high-light tank, go for the pressurized CO2. It's definitely worth it.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

I've been reading some of the forums and thought I'd throw this question out. I have been replacing regular carbon filters in my 20g tank. Recently, with the laterite, liquid ferts, and root tabs I am starting to see plant growth for the first time in a LONG time. I am starting to get a bit of algae growth though. I minimize the amount of light in the tank to about 6 hours a day. (Just a reminder, I've have a duel 32w 6500k florescent setup for a total of 65W) Anyway, someone was saying the carbon takes the plants nutrients out of the water and it should not be used in a planted tank. Thanks for your response

Carbon will rob the water column of trace elements, from my research andI can't find anything that says otherwise.

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