The Puffer Forum

How important is it in a tank subject to regular water changes?

Water changes & carbon have 2 separate purposes. Can't compare. WC are always most important to keeping healthy livestock. Is this for FW or SW system?

Brackish water

Carbon, i.e. granular activated carbon, is quite effective at trapping certain materials, especially some organics, but it is also not as cheap as water changes in FW and BW tanks. Water changes also are quite effective in removing pollutants in exactly the same proportions as the percentage of the water change and in FW/BW is far more cost-effective, especially as water changes remove everything dissolved in the tank water, whether organic or inorganic.

HTH

The ONLY thing I use carbon for is to remove meds or prevent chemical warfare issues in my reef tanks.

Ah nice one, thanks! So I'll keep some as a supply! How do you tell if it's worn out/saturated?

Change out monthly. I prefer Purigen. It's good for about 3 months & then can be regenerated.