Activated Carbon

[CichlidFan]

Re: Activated Carbon

You got it...Good Luck....do try to remember those pics when you are ready.

CF

[wesleydnunder]

Re: Activated Carbon

Mark, are you saying that chemical filtration is not needed is this case?
If so, please elaborate, I was under then impression that chemical filtration was a critical part of the overall filtration process...im very curious to hear what you have to say....

CF

Yes Steve, that's exactly what I'm saying. Chemical filtration is needed only in certain cases, IMO. Carbon can be used to remove chlorine, but aeration removes chlorine also. Carbon also can be used to remove meds from the tank. For regular use as a prophylactic, I just don't see the necessity. I've also read that carbon is exhausted in as little as 1 week, after which it becomes surface area for the growth of nitrifying bacteria. I haven't done any tests toward that so just like everything else read on the web, it's subject to much opinion. I haven't run carbon on any of my tanks without a specific reason for at least 20 years.

Unless we introduce some type of harmful chemical into our tanks, I just don't see the need for the added expense. Some folks use carbon to remove the "earthy" smell of a healthy tank. I'm not bothered by it. A healthy tank doesn't stink, and with adequate filtration and regular maintenance the water is so clear that the fish appear to be flying through air. Again, this is just my opinion backed up by 40 years of doing this, but water polishers and chemical media aren't necessary to have in the tank all the time.

Mark

[wesleydnunder]

Re: Activated Carbon

Hmmm.... well, this tank needs fish in it ASAP (like by this wknd) so, for one, I need to use the chemical filtration to control the water quality until the bio colonies get established, which hopefully won't take too long since I will be using all of the advice from above AND I'll be throwing on my 2028 which has been up and running for quite some time on my 60 gallon.  I typically don't use chemical on established tanks either, but this is going to be a room divider that I've built into the wall of my house so I need the water to be as crystal clear as possible.  So, with the Puigen and GAC I was hoping that it will help accomplish this.  Also, I'm horrible when it comes to changing out water on schedule and hopefully it will help to pick up the slack.  The UV filter should also help with keeping the water crystal clear and kill unwanted pathogens that can come with new fish/food.  I'm relatively new to all of this, just using advice from people on the box and at the LFS's, so if you have any other comments, please feel free to lay 'em on me!

Thanks everyone!!!

Peter, if your filter running on the 60 has had adequate time to be colonized by nitrifying bacteria, you can begin stocking when you move the filter to the new tank. Like the others, I recommend caution and patience as you do. Introduce a few fish, test your water over the next week. If everything tests ok, introduce a few more. I always stock tanks in this way and have yet to overload the filter's capacity.

IMO, carbon and Purigen won't make up for lack of regular water changes and tank maint. Neither of those will remove the nitrates and DOCs that partial water changes will. And  again, regular maint. and adequate filtration will keep the water sparkling clean and the fish happy and healthy.

I think your filtration is fine, depending on how many fish you eventually stock. I'm a big fan of UGF and use it in several of my tanks. As a polisher and bio-filter, I think RUGF is a fantastic filter. Like the other filters, it has to be cleaned periodically. Gravel vac used when you remove the water for a partial will accomplish this nicely.

Mark

[wesleydnunder]

Re: Activated Carbon

... just using advice from...the LFS's...

The purpose of the lfs is to sell you things. You'll never hear one of their employees say, " Here, buy this. It's not a necessity, but buy it anyway."

They are pushing their stock. I can't tell you how many things I've seen over the decades that was basically snake oil. One of my favorites is rock salt packaged and sold at ten times the cost as "Aquarium Salt".

Mark

[CichlidFan]

Re: Activated Carbon

Interesting....So, like a few others I have chatted with, you believe that for the most part, your preference in filtration methods would be purely mechanical and biological. It does make sense of course, but then you have the pet industry telling you that things like chem pure and purigen are excellent for giving you the best filtration results possible. Of course this would not be the first time I bought something I did not need..... :)

CF