very simple WC question

[Zulaab]

how will you know when the carbon is exhausted. i wouldnt want to kill my fish to find out.

Test the water about every 3 months. As soon as any pink shows in the test kit then its time to replace the carbon.
Most aquarium stores uses a carbon bottle and I am sure that you know how how many tanks of water a place like Fish Ranch II has.
One bottle will prolly last 2-3 yrs at a store like that.

[Darbex]

+1 on what SS said

[Zulaab]

its literally exactly how it sounds. Its basically a bottle (a big damn bottle) that is filled with some sort of carbon. You run your water hose from the sink to the bottle, then the bottle to another hose that finds its way into your tank. Supposedly the point is that the tap water runs through the carbon and consequently is cleaned of chlorines, chlorimines, etc. Basically everything your Stresscoat does.

With one MAJOR difference. Stresscoat chemically changes all the different "Bad" things fish cannot handle into things that fish "can" handle. But here is the kicker... some of the things that fish "can" handle are still "left in" the aquarium. A carbon filter does what you want.. it removes it before it hits the water, which means its not in the tank in the first place to "upset" the fish.

I hope this helps..

[Rico]

i have noticed that it produces a foul odor. is this normal? he has a big helium looking tank as a carbon filter.

[Rico]

With one MAJOR difference. Stresscoat chemically changes all the different "Bad" things fish cannot handle into things that fish "can" handle. But here is the kicker... some of the things that fish "can" handle are still "left in" the aquarium. A carbon filter does what you want.. it removes it before it hits the water, which means its not in the tank in the first place to "upset" the fish.

I hope this helps..

makes alot of sense

[Darbex]

The carbon filtered water has a foul smell? I havent noticed that in my water. Like Jesper said the chemicals make it easier for the fish to handle but its still there and will take cycling to get rid of it where as the carbon is immediately removing bad and the contaminates they can handle all at once.

[Zulaab]

i have noticed that it produces a foul odor. is this normal? he has a big helium looking tank as a carbon filter.

The foul oder you are getting is exactly what you are thinking.. the chlorine gasses are being released from the bottle and other things it catches.

Yes those are the big bottles, and I am thinking he replaces the carbon in one of those every about 2-3 yrs. Ask him when the last time he did a carbon filter change, and if you are worried.. get a chlorine test kit, not the cheap strips that are sold, but a real "drip kit" and test the water that is coming out.. no chlorine, "still good"

[Rico]

Yes those are the big bottles, and I am thinking he replaces the carbon in one of those every about 2-3 yrs.

those things must be expensive

[Zulaab]

The big bottles are not expensive..
Maybe 300 RETAIL and if you have the correct connections I am sure that you can get them for about 200.
You can make your own for your own fish tanks for less than $75 and just like Fish Ranch's since yours is smaller, but you dont serve the number of tanks like Fish Ranch, it will last about 2-3 years before you spend $10-$20 and get replacement carbon.

Fshfrk, says a box of carbon is about $45.00 and it will fill 4 carbon snakes that he makes with 15ft of 1.5" spa hose.

[Zulaab]

http://www.airwaterice.com/product/BYPASSCUBICFOOTG/Bypass_and_Jacket_Cubic_Foot_GAC.html

and from there.. just need to add carbon and you are ready to rock and roll

[Rico]

i got four 6ft tanks, three 75g's, two 55g's, and some fry tanks. they all get water changes at least once or twice a week......

i think i need a carbon snake

[Zulaab]

Get with John (fshfrk). Get together one afternoon when he is home, goto Lowes with him and he will get all the items you need, pay for them and then back to his house. 30-45 minutes later you have a carbon snake ready to go by the time you make it home. I have already done some good size water changes without Amquel and its nice to see the fish loving it.

[myjohnson]

I would never do a water change without a carbon bottle.

I would never do a water change without using prime or the like.

I call it insurance.

[fshfrk]

even when I give my dog water it is run thru a carbon filter. The carbon not only removes chlorine but a lot of other nasty stuff.

[myjohnson]

that it does, my whole house carbon bottle does the J-O-B.

I'm just to chicken to not use prime along with the carbon bottle.

rare fishes dieing is not good. Money is not an issue. Some fishes are just so rare that even if you had money you can't get them.

p.s. you know which ones I'm talking about John. O, check you Pm too.

-mj