[RhomZilla]

How important is carbon to help circulate water in a tank? Who uses it beside folks with external filters and how effective would it help to clear up water?

 

[Grosse Gurke]

You don’t need it at all; I don’t use it and have very clear water. It may help to take out odor or cloudy water, but I don’t know. I do know it is very useful to take out chemicals like medications. Other than that, I don’t know the benefits, if any, of using carbon on a daily basis.

 

[MPower]

I don't use it. Its mainly for cloudy water.

 

[SnowCichlid.]

are you talking about activated carbon as a filter media?

 

[RhomZilla]

are you talking about activated carbon as a filter media?

Yeah, active carbon for a filter media on a Magnum 350 filteration.

 

[Judazzz]

I use active carbon in my canister (together with ceramic pipes, cotton balls, and filter pads), and I never had any trouble with the water.

It's not necessary to keep your tank healthy (although I do recommend everyone to have a little carbon around), but it doesn't hurt to use it next to other filter media (if you use blackwater extract or peat as filter media: keep in mind that it will remove the coloration from the water, and it might remove some of the nutrients those two media types add to the water as well).
Like others said, carbon is very useful to remove certain unwanted chemicals from the water (like medicines, after you have treated fish, or metals).

 

[Sir Nathan XXI]

I only use carbon to remove unwanted chemicals from the water, like meds after treatment, or your accidently dropped something in the tank you shouldnt have, etc, etc

 

[Innes]

I don't use carbon, and I don't need to either

 

[bobme]

Its not needed, but i am going to use to for cleaner / clearer water

 

[Mr. Hannibal]

I never use it since i've never need it...

and i really don't think you need carbon at all to clear up water!

 

[bobme]

with water changes, no you shouldnt

 

[WebHostExpert]

please read this:
http://www.piranha-fury.com/forum/pfury/in...t=ST&f=16&t=417

 

[SnowCichlid.]

I use active carbon with my filter media and I have no problems it does not cloud my water and has never caused anything possibly horrible