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carbon usage: do you use it & if so, for what?

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by Anthony, Mar 4, 2009.

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  1. Anthony

    Anthony Thread Starter Active Member

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    Carbon Use

    I thought I posted a thread on this but maybe I never did since I couldn't locate one.

    If you use carbon...

    What do you use your carbon for ?
    Do you use it on a daily basis or only as needed ?
     
    Anthony, Mar 4, 2009
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  2. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    I dont use carbon at all.... if I buy filter cartridges I remove the carbon.... that stuff does not touch my tanks :D
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 4, 2009
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  3. Anthony

    Anthony Thread Starter Active Member

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    Normally I don't use carbon but because my C220 came with two big bags I threw them in a tray. I removed them today... Using carbon scares me because of all the stories/information I've heard about it leaching nasties back into the tank.

    When using it I noticed no difference in my water quality.
     
    Anthony, Mar 4, 2009
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  4. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    I have not read any horror stories.... carbon can be very beneficial...

    Carbon removes MANY meds... it also helps chemically clean your tank... In noticeable changes it should make your water more clear and removes tannins from your water (the yellow staining). It is the last reason I dont use it.... gotta keep my blackwater! :D
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 4, 2009
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  5. Anthony

    Anthony Thread Starter Active Member

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    Using it to remove meds is what it should be used for IMO.

    Going by the other uses you listed there are other options that are known to not leach back into the water such as Purigen.
     
    Anthony, Mar 4, 2009
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  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I've always used carbon (ie. emperor 400 standard cartridge filters). Never had any issues.
    Right now (1st time with having a moderately planted tank) I am leary of using the carbon in fear it will pull out the flourish excel/flourish iron that I use on occassion. I still use the manufacturer cartridges for the emperor400 and haven't had any problems linked to carbon usage as of yet.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 4, 2009
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  7. Anthony

    Anthony Thread Starter Active Member

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    When I threw in the carbon bags I didn't even think about it sucking up my trace elements until earlier when speaking to Seachem about a few products. That's why I immediately removed them today.
     
    Anthony, Mar 4, 2009
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  8. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    hmm...now you've got me wondering about the flourish excel and flourish iron. I didn't even think about that (never used chemicals before other than the baddies remover)....?
    Never kept quite this many plants :)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 4, 2009
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  9. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Yeah, you have stocked up on plants lately :confused:
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 4, 2009
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  10. Anthony

    Anthony Thread Starter Active Member

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    She's trying to show us up on our tanks. :) She's determined to fill her tank up.
     
    Anthony, Mar 4, 2009
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  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Lol. At first I was thinking...ey, this isn't soo hard (as I was thinking it would be a nightmare with keeping plants /algae)...then I added a few more here and there...and starting thinking the fish look happy swimming in and out of them...and before I knew it most of the tank was full.
    Then I saw the lfs tank that is completely full of plants and I thought to myself...maybe I can do that...and hence my plantage quest has begun. Lol!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 4, 2009
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  12. Anthony

    Anthony Thread Starter Active Member

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    I'm trying to OD my tank on plant food to get my swords to grow. :)
     
    Anthony, Mar 4, 2009
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  13. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    lol. miracle grow ey? Lol!
    I know ..impatient also on the slow growers!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 4, 2009
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  14. Anthony

    Anthony Thread Starter Active Member

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    Yep. :D
     
    Anthony, Mar 4, 2009
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  15. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    I only use carbon (and Prime) in my fill jugs...not my tanks. Helps make sure I keep good clear water going in.

    As for it removing trace elements.....concensus says no. It has been a highly debated topic. Most plant hobbists say no. There are a few they contend it will.

    However, carbon is really only beneficial for med and tannins clean up.
     
    James0816, Mar 5, 2009
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  16. GOT MTS?

    GOT MTS? Member

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    I agree with above statement. That is the only time I use carbon in my planted tanks. And yes it will pull out your plant fertilizer.
     
    GOT MTS?, Mar 5, 2009
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  17. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Why would you want to clean up tannins :)
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 5, 2009
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  18. Anthony

    Anthony Thread Starter Active Member

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    Because it's icky. :)
     
    Anthony, Mar 5, 2009
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  19. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    WHAT??!?!?! :eek:

    <no comment> :roll:

    Come on Anthony...ya know ya wanna! :cool:
     
    James0816, Mar 5, 2009
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  20. Anonymous

    Anonymous Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    what do you guys recommend using besides the filter floss. I make my own pads and such for all my filters and have never not used super activated carbon. This is a new topic for me. I haven't ever heard a bad thing about carbon and need more info. I will also be looking on the internet concerning this.

    thanks.
     
    Anonymous, Mar 5, 2009
    #20
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