I was wondering if it was a better idea to use old carbon in a top fin 60 power filter instead of putting new carbon in. Won't old carbon already have good bacteria on it?
2007-01-30 12:32:10 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Activated carbon is chemical filtration, which basically means the carbon will absorb chemicals etc from your water until it becomes saturated with them. So while it won't do any harm to use your old carbon, it won't bring in any beneficial bacteria; those are developed during biological filtration on your filter sponge; so if you have your sponge, by all means, use it. But know that if it dries, or if you rinse it in untreated water, the bacteria will die.
2007-01-30 13:01:28 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Any granular activated carbon filter has three inherent problems.
--First, it can provide a base for the growth of bacteria. When the carbon is fresh, virtually all organic impurities (not organic chemicals) and even some bacteria are removed. Accumulated impurities, though, can become food for bacteria, enabling them to multiply within the filter.
--Second, chemical recontamination of granular activated carbon filters can occur in a similar way. If the filter is used beyond the point at which it becomes saturated with the impurities it has absorbed, the trapped impurities can release from the surface and re-contaminate the water, with even higher concentrations of impurities than in the untreated water. This saturation point is impossible to predict.
Third, granular carbon filters are susceptible to channeling. Because the carbon grains are held (relatively) loosely, open paths can result from the buildup of impurities in the filter and rapid water movement under pressure through the unit. In this situation, contact time between the carbon and the water is reduced, and filtration is less effective.
If you choose to use a carbon filter, change the carbon.
2007-01-31 05:51:54 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the carbon certainly has bacteria growing on it, but as others have said it's better to use the old fiber bag with new carbon than the other way around.
2007-01-30 13:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
B.S..
Better to change the carbon in a old Fiber than to put old carbon in a new fiber.
The fiber is where the good bacteria is. Change the carbon, not the fiber.
2007-01-30 12:57:56 · answer #4 · answered by Sinister 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
changing your clear out cartridge as quickly as a month could be superb, the carbon will artwork that long, you may try rinsing the clear out off while it gets yucky. you may feed them much less, like as quickly as an afternoon or another day is excellent and doing a 25-30% water exchange a pair of times a month is excellent. To get clearer water you may get one greater clear out with a polisher pad in it to bathe your water, greater beneficial filtration may well be good for the tank to because of the fact your goldfish do placed off greater ammonia then different fish do. which will guard the blur. getting the greater beneficial clear out now may well be good to because of the fact in case you get one with a bio wheel (marine land) that is going to likely be greater handy to enhance your tank while your goldfish get larger given which you've got that valuable Bactria nonetheless on your equipment.
2016-11-01 22:28:10 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cabons not supposed to grow bacteria its suposed to filter out smells and dis coloration put new carbon in.
2007-01-30 12:43:40 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. dope 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Sure, carbon doesn't matter in filter anyway, only if you are removing meds
2007-01-30 12:37:03 · answer #7 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
put in some table salt and water for a little while [soak it]
2007-02-02 14:55:44 · answer #8 · answered by tootsie6786 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋