Tcal01
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I have a fluval c2 and i just took out the activated carbon pouch and put in some biomax just to get some more bb. I hate to throw it away. Is there a way i can save it for when i need it?
I have a fluval c2 and i just took out the activated carbon pouch and put in some biomax just to get some more bb. I hate to throw it away. Is there a way i can save it for when i need it?
RussellC said:You sure can -- assuming it's still 'good'.
The usefulness of carbon degrades over time, so if was in the filter and running more than a week or two, you should probably just toss it, as its effectiveness will already be greatly diminished.
If it's relatively new, however, you certainly can store it for later use. Just be sure to keep it in an airtight container. Carbon will absorb things from the air just like it absorbs things from the water -- if not kept in an airtight container, eventually it will absorb things to the point of saturation and become ineffective.
Best!
Tcal01 said:I have a fluval c2 and i just took out the activated carbon pouch and put in some biomax just to get some more bb. I hate to throw it away. Is there a way i can save it for when i need it?
I respectfully disagree. The vast majority of fishkeepers do not use carbon at all.
Carbon will absorb things from the air just like it absorbs things from the water -- if not kept in an airtight container, eventually it will absorb things to the point of saturation and become ineffective
I respectfully disagree. The vast majority of fishkeepers do not use carbon at all.
If by that you mean that the vast majority of fishkeepers don't because they keep their fish in unfiltered bowls, sadly, you are probably correct. Among more well-educated hobbyists, it might be the majority, but I wouldn't be so sure it's vast.
This above statement is untrue Carbon used in air purification is much different the only thing they share is the name Carbon
I'm all for personal choice. Whatever floats your boat, as long as the fish are safe.
RussellC said:If by that you mean that the vast majority of fishkeepers don't because they keep their fish in unfiltered bowls, sadly, you are probably correct. Among more well-educated hobbyists, it might be the majority, but I wouldn't be so sure it's vast.
I'm on the fence, carbon-wise. I think it has its pros and cons, but I do agree that it is neither critical nor necessary (except for medicine removal), so I'd be supportive of any fishkeeper's personal choice, one way or the other.
I'm not sure you can say the vast. That's a bold statement.
RussellC said:Hear hear!!
RussellC said:I think we're digressing.
The OP asked about storing carbon for later use.
As it's been identified that the carbon's been in the filter for more than four weeks, it has already lived its useful life and storing it would be pointless.
And I'll admit I'm as much to blame as anyone on letting this thread drift off topic.
Best!
Tcal01 said:Does this mean that carbon cartridges would have to be changes every four weeks. I was just wondering if i could store it so that if i ever use meds i and had problems i could just plop it in. So does carbon store any BB at all. How would it make it smell like a pond?
I'm willing to learn.
Do you have a source you could share with me?
So far, I've haven't been able to find anything to support this -- no source seems to make a distinction between them, simply referring to all of them as activated carbon. The applications are certainly different, but do you have a source that suggests the substances are materially different?
Thanks.
Lifeoffroad said:Like the other users posted as long as you keep up on weekly pwc you're okay. The best thing to do is just buy one new and store it. its fairly cheap.
not to flog a dead horse but carbon use can also make it difficult to identify a problenlm in a tank. basicly its a double sided knife personaly i use it for med removal only and personaly think that hey fish have been getting along with out activated carbon in the wild pritty well so i figure that the trick is just do another water change if ur not sure
Tcal01 said:Oh i know about pwcs. I was just wondering what he meant by smelling like a pond. The majority of the aquarists that i know don't use carbon either and i just had it in there until i got some biomax. I have seen those big containers of carbon at the lfs though and how does that work? Do they sell little baggies to put it in too or can you just plop it how it IA right into the filter lol