Hi guys a question!
Should carbon be left in the filteration system at all times?If not when is the correct time to put it in and the correct time to take it out?You're input and views would be greatly appreaciated thanks tim.

In my opinion, I can't see one good reason for leaving carbon in your filtration all the time. Carbon removes impurities from your water. When you've medicated your tank, you can use it offer to remove any excess medication. The problem with carbon is it can become saturated in time, once this has happened, impurities Leach back into the water and can cause health problems.

A lot of these complete set-ups come with carbon already in the filter. When you buy the tank, you're not told about it. A lot of people don't know what it's for and just leave it in there all the time. Then they come to medicate their tank and wonder why the fish aren't improving. Why? Because the medication is being removed before it has a chance to do anything.

Some people reckon that their water is clearer with carbon in the filters. Well my answer is regular tank maintenance, your water would be more than clear enough. Don't overfeed either.

If you want to leave carbon in, I would change every month.

Think many people use carbon all the time, but in my opinion it's only good to use when you want to remove toxins or meds from the water; after some days max. it has to be discarded then.

If using it permanently, it needs to be replaced quite often as well (like once weekly - I think) or it might start to release harmful substances into the tank water again.

Some think it's a possible cause for HITH, be it because of the fine dust from it or because it might filter substances from the water which are needed by the fish.

So when you ask me, the answer is no. Better to use the space for some other media that will add to biological filtration.

EDIT: LMAO, who said again I gotta be quicker

Read that carbon is actually one of the best biological media for growing bacteria on inside your filter.

Carbon or Lignite have 30,000 Sq Yds per Ounce. So 1Ib can biologically treat 1000 gallons of water.

Interesting read at following link.

wernersponds.com/biofiltermedia.htm

Ok...wait a sec...I have so much to learn!
I don't even know what carbon is, don't laugh too hard.
I tried to read the article, but it is blocked by my work web blocker...dang it.
So, it's thought that I should remove this carbon from my filter and replace it with other media. What other media?
I have the marineland C-360 canister. It's still in the box as I am waiting for my tank to come in, but I can get it open tonight and check it out- find out where this carbon is and see if I can remove it.

What should I replace it with exactly??

Thank you!!!

Whoops, I hadn't thought of activated carbon as filter medium that would do biological filtration as well, besides the chemical aspect. However, what I meant was to use anything instead for non-chemical but only biological filtration.

Not familiar with Marineland filters but there should be trays for the different media, and carbon is often packed in bags and looking like pieces of charcoal. Anything can be used instead, like another sponge or bio balls or whatever they might offer if not wanting to leave the tray empty. The finest filter media usually go on top.

Some say so and some say so when it comes to carbon. I personally tend to think that good tank maintenance along with good biological filtration are the most important factors, and no need then to cover up a lack of that with chemical filtration. And having to exchange the carbon means a waste of money in my eyes.

If you use carbon then replace it regularly, however i think you will be wasting you money

teilover, carbon is the fine black stuff (usually in bags). Replace it with other media like the hollow tubes or rocks that you can buy. If you need it in bags, put the media in the sock end of a womans stocking (best take the woman out 1st ) and tie the end off

I am not familiar with marine land canister filters either, they don't sell them here in the United Kingdom.

In my opinion, you should replace the carbon with biological media. You only need one piece of mechanical filtration, I wouldn't go too mad and loads of it in, you will only be using up valuable space that could be taken up by biological filtration. I think that course media is the best, you want media that has a good service for the bacteria to grow on. Alpha grog is excellent, I don't know whether you can get over there they are. Just remember that biological filtration cleansers your water of toxins. Having plenty of this type of media is absolutely vital with large messy fish.

Everything you say sounds logical about not using the carbon. In fact a few weeks ago I had taken the carbon out because I'm needing to rinse my filter bags every 3 days and figured why use the carbon. I told the guy in the aquarium that I have known for 20 years or so and he said no, no, no you need your carbon. You will get disease and smelly water? In went the carbon, lol.

Not to sound like a moron, but I'm afraid I might be over my head with all this... Some of this media stuff sounds like jiberish to me...
I took the directions out from the box and felt overwhelmed...5 minutes later I stuffed them back in.
Are there people you can call to come over and set up you tank and filter???

I dont think so....you will be fine.we all togather should be able to help you out.when they say media they mean rocks or sand.

machanical media is the sponges
biological media is the hard rock like stuff or hollow tubes

Just follow the instructions on the box but replace the carbon (fine black stuff in a bag) with extra rock stuff or hollow tubes that you can buy from your LFS

If you want help take the filter back to where you bought it and ask them. If you got it online then look for local companies that will do tank maintainence and ask them to set it up for you. You will need to ask them about what to do when cleaning it etc

Lots of places will tell you carbon is needed but its expensive to keep replacing which is what you will have to do if you use it. Your fish tank will always smell a little if you lift the lid and breath in heavy but if you get your tank maintainence right you dont need it. The jury is out but it is a possibility that carbon that isnt replaced regularly could be a cause of HITH. A well maintained tank doesnt need carbon