Charcoal on the bottom of aquarium??

Question

I set up my aquarium yesterday but it's doesn't have any gravel or anything in it yet. When I got up this morning there is black residue on the bottom of the tank. When i put my hand in the tank to see what it was it just dispersed in the water like powder in the air. I know the filters have charcoal in them and would assume that its from that. Is it normal to have this?

I did rinse it before I put it in..........

Answer 1

it very well might be charcoal dust from your filter. it is normal for there to be charcoal dust as the filter is jostled before you buy it and the charcoal pebbles rub against each other. i always rinse my filters in cold water before using them. I always see a glut of gray/black water come out the other side when i do this. its not bad for your fish, its just unattractive

Answer 2

The instructions that come with all filter containing activated carbon (also called activated charcoal) clearly state that you are supposed to thoroughly rinse the media before using it in the tank for this very reason. Since it now rinsed into your tank, there is no reason to rinse it again... Just use a gravel vacuum (a siphon hose) to remove the particulate. Try to stir as little up into suspension as possible (once it is suspended in the water, it is a pain to remove). From now on, rinse the media in running water before adding it to your tank.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: If you rinsed it before adding it to the tank, you clearly didn't rinse it well enough. You should massage the media to loosen up any and all particulate until the water is absolutely clear when it passes through.

Answer 3

Sounds like carbon but it shouldn't be getting out of the filter. What make and model is the tank and filter?

Answer 4

start syphoning system to remove charcoal from the bottom and add additional water, slowly, on the surface. instead of stone, u may use marged stainless steel balls, in several sizes.

Answer 5

It's probably carbon from your filter.