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Starting Member
 
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Last Login: 11/29/2012 10:11:51 PM
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| Can filters with activated carbon remove trace elements and other nutrients that plants need from the tank?
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New Member
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Last Login: 5/16/2012 5:43:45 AM
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| Some say yes, some say no. When it comes down to it, if you are using carbon in your tank and you're not replacing about every 2wks its being wasted anyway. This is about the length of time it is effective. I stopped using carbon years ago. I keep a small qty on hand in case I need but don't run it in any of my tanks.
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Moderator
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Last Login: 6/21/2012 6:30:34 PM
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In a freshwater planted tank, activated carbon is really not needed. I use it on occasion if the water gets a yellowish look to it, but not on a regular basis.
***************************Local Fish Stores -- "The Heart of the Hobby"
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 10/20/2012 9:58:59 AM
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I have a 100 gallon planted tank. I've never used carbon filters. I use only floss (pads) and bio filters.
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Swifty
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Fish Moderator
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Activated carbon that is sold for aquarium use does not remove minerals very well. It's mainly for small proteins and medicines. Activated carbon that is laboratory grade reacts with some minerals and would be better at removing it from the water, but it still wouldn't remove very much and wouldn't last long in aquarium water.
I don't even use it anymore, in my home tanks or in the fish room at work, although I have a very small amount on hand in both locations, just in case.
55 gallon
Baby - lionhead/ryukin cross
Westie - lionhead/ryukin cross
Speedy Rodriguez - oranda
Currently searching for a good new tankmate!
planted 29 gallon
3 red eye tetras
4 cherry barbs
2 cardinal tetras
4 albino cories
2 Bolivian rams
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 3/29/2013 10:39:34 PM
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Also different brands can have different quality carbon. If it is lower quality brand, you can get more algae problems from excessive phosphates (or so I have read).
Are you using it for something specific? You could maybe try an experiment of using it for say two months and then not using it to see if it affects the plant growth at all.
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