Carbon?

[smittyjr18]

I use to work in a pet store for about 4 or 5 years and i have a good general knownledge of how everything works in a closed system. I know that activated carbon is used up in about 24 hour after it is put into the tank. What benifit does using carbon provide? I will be adding more live plants over time.

 

[Madame_X]

If you're planning to add a lot of plants, I would skip the carbon.

Some reading suggests that it provides a slightly increased biofiltration once the actual chemical filtration is used up, but there is far better biomedia around.

The plants don't like carbon, as it sucks up a lot of the minerals in the water that the plants need to be healthy. Also, once the chemical filtration is no longer effective, there is a chance it can leech some things back into the water.

I'm fighting hair algae like the devil in my 29 gallon tank. I attribute this to running carbon in the HOT Magnum filter, which I believe may be leeching phospate back into my water. I have no hair algae in my 30 gallon tank.

Obviously, I'm looking for an alternative to carbon.

 

[BrianNY]

Carbon does have some benefits besides bio filtration. It will act chemically to remove some toxins and keep the tank odor free. I use it only to remove any medications.

If you practice a good routine of water changes, AC is not needed. JMO.

 

[smittyjr18]

I have a Mag 350 w/ Bio wheels. If i skip the carbon is there a need to find a replacement? I currently have 2 amazon swords and am working on a DIY CO2. Is there any con on not having carbon?

 

[BrianNY]

I haven't found that to be the case smitty. How much and how often you do water changes is really the key. If you change 25% weekly, you shouldn't ever need carbon.

 

[Madame_X]

Yeah, you should be fine without it. Just keep some handy if you ever need to remove meds, etc.