if i get a fish tank, can i directly place zeolite and high density carbon into the filter and tank?

Question

zeolite(white rocks) and the carbon (black rocks)

can i losely put it into a bio filter 150 penguin series filter?

could i just leave the pieces there like its gravel out in the tank?

Answer 1

My quesion back would be why do you want to do this? I know that zeolite will absorb ammonia, but if you're just starting a new tank, you want to have some ammonia present so that your bacterial population develops. These are the bacteria that will convert the ammonia and nitrite (which are toxic to your fish) to nitrate which is less toxic. If you don't have the ammonia present, you won't fully develop the amount of bacteria needed to process the wastes of your fish, so if something did happen in your tank, the fish would be more vunerable to ammonia and nitrite poisoning.

That's why you're planning to use a biowheel, I would assume - to have additional area for the bacteria to colonize so it removes the toxic products from your tank more quickly. It seems the two ideas confilict with each other - on one hand, you're providing them with a place to grow, but on the other, you're trying to remove their food source.

It's also not necessary to use carbon in your filter on a continual basis. You can use it if you need to remove a medication, or if you use driftwood and it tints your water brown, but other than that, it's not necessary.

Personally, I would skip the zeolite altogether, and just keep the carbon on hand for when it is needed, but not use it all the time.

Answer 2

I guess in the end it depends what kind of filter you have, but for the most part, you're supposed to put the ammocarb stuff into the filter. That's what the filter's for!

I wouldn't suggest putting it in your fishtank because you'll need to change it once a month and good luck picking up each little piece amongst the gravel and whatnot.