Carbon Question

[danielm865]

Well, I use carbon in my tank, but for a COMPLETELY different reason.  

I also enjoy gargening.  Nothing and I mean NOTHING makes your soil more fertile than used carbon from your fish tank thrown in with your compost pile soil.  I've grown plants with and without it, and with it, I get nearly twice the yield.  I got the idea from watching a science channel program on some south american rainforest soil that's supposed to be some of the best soil in the world, and in analyzing the soil, they found charcoal in it (not the brickett type, but natural charcoal) and attributed part of the soil's richness to the carbon locking in the nutrients.  

Did you know that the water that you take out of your tanks for partial water changes have a nutrients in it that plants like? It is like instant miracle grow. That is what I use on my house plants. They grow like crazy!!!

[DavesGirl]

I am not sure why all the mods here are totally stuck on this method.  You guys are acting like this is the only way and the most perfect way and throwing down all other methods, spreading missinformation, and insulting in the process.  I would hardly call myself a newbie, and I have used several different methods through out my 'researching years' before I opened my store.  As your method may work, it is definently way overkill.  As I have stated before, I have not touched my filters for over 7 years.  I do around 25% water changes monthly or every couple months depending on the situtation.  Your aquarium is like a mini-ecosystem that should of capable of taking care of itself if setup correctly.

I just saw this and thought I'd respond.

The reason we are "stuck" on this method, is because more often than not, newbies are the ones visiting.  I didn't say YOU were one, I said the advice wasn't for novices.  Better safe than sorry.

If I have insulted you, I apologize.  You obviously know what you're doing if you haven't touched your filters in 7 years and haven't had any unexplainable deaths or problems with your filter. 

And, for the record I completely DISAGREE that a majority of folks can do what you're doing successfully.  You obviously aren't overstocking or overfeeding - or your filter pads would be filthy.  Its a risky practice.  You've perfected it for you and that's great.  That doesn't mean its not right, just not recommended for newbies, which is what a large majority of folks that come here are.  We do not presume to know your experience level.  Your statements are wildly different from what most home fishkeepers would practice.  To insinuate that doing more the 20% water changes monthly means you're doing something wrong is inaccurate.  In a closed system like an aquarium, the more water changes you do, the more closely you come to mimicking nature's cleaner waters.  Surely you're not going to negate that nitrates rise and can be dangerous.  And the alternative bacteria that converts NitrAte back to ammonia is risky as well - aerobic vs anaerobic is definitely NOT for the newbie!

Ah, well, I don't know if you're still around.  We all have different views and yours are welcome here, too.  But I whole heartedly disagree, and it has nothing to do with being a mod around here

[DavesGirl]

Did you know that the water that you take out of your tanks for partial water changes have a nutrients in it that plants like? It is like instant miracle grow. That is what I use on my house plants. They grow like crazy!!!

Yes, the nitrates are quickly used by all sorts of plant sources, indoor and out!

[danielm865]

The decomposing wastes from the gravel are also a fertilizer.

[OyofMidworld]

Did you know that the water that you take out of your tanks for partial water changes have a nutrients in it that plants like? It is like instant miracle grow. That is what I use on my house plants. They grow like crazy!!!

Wow, thanks for the idea.  I'm glad you brought it up. 

[danielm865]

Your welcome. I learned that from the Tetra Care Reminder Program that emails you when you need to do aquarium maintenance. To get this reminder, follow the link below.

http://www.tetra-fish.com/registration/tetraaquarium/tetracare.aspx

[Guitarchiq]

I used to change it, now with 8 of my 9 tanks having filters on them, I just keep the same pad in, using it for the surface area.  if it gets really nasty I rinse it in some tank water, but for most of my tanks, snails clean up all the goobery stuff that builds in there.  I do think it's a useful tool though for removing meds.  i also recomend it to my less experienced clients not becuase it's a cure all, but because it gets them paying attention to their tanks! 

[Davo]

Someone mentioned that they use it when going on vacation and not being able to do water changes regularly. First, let me say I'm not trying to get out of water changes. It's better for me to spend 10 minutes changing water, than spend several bucks on new carbon every week.
My question is this, for vacation, would this reduce the need for water changes? I'm leaving for a couple weeks, and I'm having my roommate feed my fish. I've also talked with him about water changes while I'm gone. It's not that I don't trust my roommate to do it right... it's just that I don't trust him to do it right.
Would it be a good idea to put some carbon in the filter right before I leave just in case? Would it help keep nitrAtes down as well as other stuff that could potentially be harmful?

[danielm865]

You can, but it isn't necessary.  Just show them how much to feed and tell them to feed EVERY OTHER DAY.  It's not like fish eat everyday in the wild, anyways.  They eat when there is food, and then they eat all of that food that they can because it could be weeks before another meal.  Feed lightly.  That way in 2 weeks you will have about the same amount of waste as you would in 1 week and you are sure that the filter media doesn't clog and cause problems before you get back.  Maybe you can buy an automatic feeder?  Just make sure everything is working right when you leave and the fish will be fine.

Daniel

[Tropical Dude]

Hey, I don't use carbon but I heard (well read of something called SeaChem Renew) it is a synthetic resin and it says it doesn't remove all the plant fertilizers like carbon. I found it in bulk on www.drsfostersmith.com . Do you think I should use this instead of carbon to clear my water and remove tannins as I sometimes used to do with Purigen (another SeaChem product) . The only downside is this can't be recharged (renew can't , purigen can) does anyone have any experience with these, what do you think about using these all the time or on a temporary basis such as bi monthly or something. Any comments ???