So I bought a new filter for the feeder tank - Tetra Whisper EX70. It houses 2 cartridges. Why do these things always have carbon in their filters? I can't get my hands on any without carbon and I don't like using it. Can I use some filter material cut to the size of the filter holder?

Brooksie

Yes honey that will work fine... Better yet, use scrubbies, or a stocking fill of biomax! ...

Hmmmm... good idea! I just never understood why you can't buy the pre-packaged ones without the damn carbon!! Thanks hun....

Brooksie wrote:


You can't use the tetra bio bags? They have separate removable carbon. I used them for my emperor for precisely the same reason. I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a size that fit decently...although I'm not familiar with the EX70

www.aquariumguys.com/whisperbiobag3.html

Brooksie wrote:


i used filter foam cut into shape, instead of the carbon part, but nowadays i put in blue filter floss, and that works fine.
and it's easier to put the right amount in the filter.

Does anyone have any stats or results from an experiment finding that carbon is bad for your fish (or causes HITH, etc...)?

Its hard to believe that the makers of HOBs wouldn't try to sell more cartridges (some with carbon, some w/o)... if there is solid info out there. I would think they would try to capitalize on the issue somehow.

Cebo you have a valid point. I have never seen any info backing that theory either... BUT it is NOT a chance I am willing to take. I spend FAR too much money, time, and energy keeping these babies happy and healthy... I am not willing to risk it all on carbon!

I do believe Carbon is fine when NOT used past it's effective life. But most people don't change it often enough. And that is where the problem lies... And if you do change it enough it gets expensive.

I have found in Oscar tanks, there is no need for it! So why spend the money, and why take the risk?....

Just my 2 cents...

Nicki--Sue wrote:

You bring up a good point. Thanks for your 2 cents Nicki.

cebosound wrote:


I have found it extremely irritating how alot of companies won't sell either media without carbon or removable carbon.


To be honest, I think they capitalize on the fact that carbon needs to be replaced so quickly. Filter cartridges sans carbon can last for months and months, whereas the carbon is recommended to be replaced in say, about 2 weeks. Thus, people will generally have to replace the whole thing if the carbon is sealed in in about 2 weeks.

I kind of look at it like 'no other option' tactics...like a company that makes their filter cartridges an 'odd' shape or size so that you have no other option generally to use theirs. Or like how Norton security comes preinstalled in your computer and bombs you with desktop popup adds about renewing your subscription. Sure, knowledgeable fishkeepers can rig up any kind of thing to fit anywhere...but the average 'joe fishnoob' thinks he needs to buy those exact products b/c nothing else 'fits.' To be honest NONE of my cartridges were origionally intended for the filter I run, I have a collection of cut generic sponge and wool.

Again though....tetra does make the 'bio bags' with removable carbon, and i have used those before in my emperor HOB.

As for using carbon, I use it occasionally...pretty infrequently. If I do a big change/rearraignment/cleaning I'll put one of those boyd's chemi-pure bags in one of my media cartridges for a few weeks, and then take it out and replace it with biological again. But never in my mechanical filtration.

I am currently cutting up my filter media that I put in my sump filter and trying that to see how it does.

Johnny you are right. I was at the LFS tonight and looked all over their stuff - all carbon. Luckily I have you guys to advise me so I don't get sucked into their "packaged" materials. There are alternatives out there!

Brooksie wrote:


Is it possible to use the tetra bio bags with your filter?

Here is what you can do . If you can find one that kinda fits buy the biobags and take the plastic frame out. (it's separate). Buy a 'generic' wool cartridge with carbon for like 2 bucks...slide that down in between the bio bag wool so the wool fits perfectly in the slot. If you want to use some carbon after a week or 2 you cut the carbon out of the generic or just discard the whole thing and replace it. Either way,you still have the bio bag wool remaining, and dont have to worry about bacteria loss or degrading the 'main' wool by cutting it. Also, replacing the generic is no big deal as it's only 2 bucks anyways. I can buy 10 for 10 bucks as part of a deal. (you also get double the mechanical filtration in each slot as well, of course)

Every few months I take out the bio bag wool too and simply rinse it a bit and give it a mild clean when I am replacing the generic.

The store was out of those bio bags because I was going to get them. They get their delivery on Monday and I'm going to get them to try. They actually make one for my unit. I'll let you know... thanks Johnny!