Carbon in a planted tank

RonB · 12-13-2011, 07:19 PM

So I was just thinking and started wondering. Does the carbon in the filter possibly filter out the liquid fertalizer I have been using?

jrman83 · 12-13-2011, 07:30 PM

Some say it pulls out certain nutrients, others say its BS. Most people that run planted tanks don't use carbon in their filters. You don't really need it unless something needs to be removed from your water and it is really only effective for about 2wks before it needs to be replaced.

RonB · 12-13-2011, 07:35 PM

Am replacing old HOB with a AquaClear. So I will just use the foam and BioMax. How long would wait till removing the old one? Couple of weeks?

jrman83 · 12-13-2011, 09:35 PM

Yeah, just run side-by-side for about 2wks.

beaslbob · 12-14-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonB

So I was just thinking and started wondering. Does the carbon in the filter possibly filter out the liquid fertalizer I have been using?

Yep.

fishguy2727 · 12-14-2011, 05:30 PM

The reason there is debate is because carbon does not take out everything. The good things that it can remove are not a major issue in most tanks. So in order for carbon to be a problem the tank has to be so well balanced that the limiting factors are trace elements and micronutrients, most planted tanks are not this well balanced. This is exactly what results in some people seeing a difference in how well their plants do with carbon and others seeing no difference and claiming it as bunk. They think it is bunk unless it happens to them (a common cause for debate in this hobby).

12-13-2011, 07:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
RonB Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 131 Name: Ron Location: Florida Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 105 Times Said "Thanks" 30 Times Was Thanked 36 Times in 36 Posts	Carbon in a planted tank So I was just thinking and started wondering. Does the carbon in the filter possibly filter out the liquid fertalizer I have been using? __________________ 29 gal planted,7 Harlequin Rasbora, 8 Neon Tetra,3 Bolivian Rams,3 Albino Cory,2 Emerald Green Cory 55 gal Lake Malawi 15 gal betta tank

12-13-2011, 07:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,463 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,382 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: Carbon in a planted tank Some say it pulls out certain nutrients, others say its BS. Most people that run planted tanks don't use carbon in their filters. You don't really need it unless something needs to be removed from your water and it is really only effective for about 2wks before it needs to be replaced.

12-13-2011, 07:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
RonB Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 131 Name: Ron Location: Florida Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 105 Times Said "Thanks" 30 Times Was Thanked 36 Times in 36 Posts	Re: Carbon in a planted tank Am replacing old HOB with a AquaClear. So I will just use the foam and BioMax. How long would wait till removing the old one? Couple of weeks? __________________ 29 gal planted,7 Harlequin Rasbora, 8 Neon Tetra,3 Bolivian Rams,3 Albino Cory,2 Emerald Green Cory 55 gal Lake Malawi 15 gal betta tank

12-13-2011, 09:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,463 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,382 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: Carbon in a planted tank Yeah, just run side-by-side for about 2wks.

12-14-2011, 05:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
fishguy2727 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 114 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 31 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Carbon in a planted tank The reason there is debate is because carbon does not take out everything. The good things that it can remove are not a major issue in most tanks. So in order for carbon to be a problem the tank has to be so well balanced that the limiting factors are trace elements and micronutrients, most planted tanks are not this well balanced. This is exactly what results in some people seeing a difference in how well their plants do with carbon and others seeing no difference and claiming it as bunk. They think it is bunk unless it happens to them (a common cause for debate in this hobby). __________________ Biologist-Professional Aquarium Care-Published Author (Aquarium Fish International Magazine) Stocking has NOTHING to do with tank volume, it is all about water changes.

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