The Puffer Forum

am i ok to use activated carbon in my 260ltr suvatti tank?

Why do you want to?

Generally carbon won't really hurt anything (unless you have live plants, and then it strips out the nutrients they need), but it really doesn't do a whole lot to help either. So unless there's a reason for it, its usually better to save your $$ and not use it or those prepackaged cartridges.

It is very useful for pulling medications or even some tannins out of the water, but it is only active for a short time (few days). Some people like to use it to reduce a smell coming out of their tank, but that's generally something they should be addressing with water changes or not overfeeding, things like that.

Used carbon does make a great filter media though, lots of bacteria like to live in it. The problem then is people will swap it out for a new cartridge and throw away a good portion of their bacteria.

But over all, sure, you can use it if you want to.. but if you have live plants its not a good idea.

i was told it would improve the water quality alot thats all..i do have live plants so ill leave it alone.

Nope, that it won't do. It might make it look a little better if you have tannins floating around or something, but the only thing that will make the water quality significantly better is water changes. Gotta remove the wastes and put back in nice, clean water.

I never use carbon on my FW/BW tanks. Actually, not on my SW/reefs either--I use Purigen on them.

ok thanx. how much water do you think i should remove per week i mean hes only around 5" on his own in 260l i normally do 30%per week do you think i should stick to that?

Generally we recommend 50% as a standard.. but as long as your nitrates are staying under 20 (preferably under 10) and you are doing at least a 10-20% change per week, you should be good.

Most of us just do 50 or more because once you are draining the tank, you might as well drain it farther.. only adds a few minutes to the whole task. And more clean water is always better than less!

LOL, I do about 75-80% weekly, as long as the hose is already in there & I have the day off.

I do about 40%. Mainly because I am still using buckets that's 34 5g pails out and 34 5g pails in. Man I'm getting to old for this.LOL.

If I buy a new filter I just leave the carbon in and never replace it.

I onl use crabon for a week if I have meds to remove wich is generaly not that often at all for the reasona stated above. As for water changes I would recomend at least 50% the more the better really. get yourself Seachem Prime if you don't have it as it last way longer that any others, 5ml treats 200Litres of tap water