Carbon Filter

**VSGenesis** · 18th May 2012, 01:17

Hi guys,

Just wanted to ask questions on this carbon.

When you purchase an Eheim cannister, I don't see any carbon filters while Fluval has it for all of them. For a beginner when it comes to filtration, it is absolutely necessary to have this?

It helps to remove organic or non organic material but that said, it also absorbs trace and micronutrient as well so what use is it? The only time I ever use it was during medication. After eradicating the ichs from my tank, I placed the carbon for 24hours and then remove it. The thought I had was so that the carbon will absorb the medication.

I remember reading that it removes odours and clarify the water? I don't have odour and no yellowish discolouration. I'm into plants and aquascapping so I don't see the benefit of it other than the medication part.

Sorry for a noobie question here. I'm trying to understand usefullness of it. Even in a non planted tank, I don't see why it's needed. Is this a controversial subject that is still being debated?

**stormhawk** · 18th May 2012, 04:30

There are 2 types of carbon for use in Eheim filters. One is the older version made of a pre-cut piece of foam with carbon embedded in it. The newer version contains carbon in fine net bags rather than a foam piece. It is not necessary to have it around unless medication is done on the tank, which is probably why Eheim does not include it as a standard filter material in their boxes.

The use of carbon is only for newly setup tanks or hospital tanks whereby you need a media to remove the medication or any pollutants in the water.

**tetrakid** · 18th May 2012, 08:57

If I have plenty of space for ageing a huge container of reserve water, I 'll definitely be running the water through a big carbon filter for a couple of days to remove chlorine and chloramines.

**limz_777** · 18th May 2012, 10:23

carbon can remove chlorine and chloramines ?

**stormhawk** · 18th May 2012, 11:45

It removes chlorines though where chloramine is concerned, only the chlorine part will be removed over time or via aeration, which is cheaper when it comes to removing chlorine. As for the ammonia that appears after chloramine breaks down, the use of zeolite is better. So if you want full removal of chlorine and chloramine, the combination of aeration + AC + Zeolite, will be best. However, AC must be removed regularly.

**limz_777** · 18th May 2012, 12:24

i see , always thought chloramine doesnt break down by aging the water

**tetrakid** · 18th May 2012, 12:40

Activated carbon tends to remove all chemicals, harmful as well as not harmful. For the ageing of tap water, I will use it, but not for running full-time in a tank with fish, unless one is trying to get rid of chemical treatments added to the water for treating their diseases.

Originally Posted by limz_777

carbon can remove chlorine and chloramines ?

**VSGenesis** · 19th May 2012, 02:48

Hi guys, thanks for the replies. Appreciate it. Its much clearer now. The carbon absorbs the chemicals that you add regardless good or bad. Trace and micronutrients are also absorb. But I wonder how much can a carbon absorb till it can no longer holds. Will it leak back into the tank.

I will not use the carbon unless i'm removing medication from the water.

Cheers guys.

**limz_777** · 19th May 2012, 07:32

Originally Posted by tetrakid

Activated carbon tends to remove all chemicals, harmful as well as not harmful. For the ageing of tap water, I will use it, but not for running full-time in a tank with fish, unless one is trying to get rid of chemical treatments added to the water for treating their diseases.

i often use carbon to clear cloudy water for non planted set-up, very effective