Filter media and such

[brancasterr]

I'm almost done cycling my 10 gallon and am excitedly anticipating the ability to stock my tank. So I've been looking at aquarium and fish stuff non-stop.

I have a quick question on filter media. Currently, I have a sponge in the filter and am wondering if I should add Ammo-Carb by API or something similar just for the added affect of odor, ammonia level, and water clarity stability.

I'm also wondering if this would clean out any ammonia in my home tap water as it is already high in ammonia.

Thanks!

[brancasterr]

Anyoneeee??

[dramaqueen]

I'm sorry I can't answer your questions about your filter. My tap water has ammonia in it too but I use Prime water conditioner.

[brancasterr]

Well do you use any carbon or anything in your filter?

I use Prime water conditioner as well but I don't think it neutralizes all of the ammonia. :( I don't want to overdose it either.

[xxabc]

I use plain old sponges. Carbon you have to eventually replace after a short while. Hardly a month.

[brancasterr]

Yeah I know, the product I mentioned in my original post is a carton of carbon and ammonia neutralizing pellets that you put in a media bag and throw in the filter. It says to change it every 6 weeks and the carton is pretty large.

[Mister Sparkle]

Neutralizing ammonia just throws off the test. It's not necessarily less toxic. Ammonia becomes ammonium, and really just makes you feel better. I suggest trying to find an ammonia-free alternative.

[brancasterr]

Well regardless of the ammonia in my tap water should I be adding anything to my filter? Such as carbon?

[Kittles]

Most people don't advise carbon in filters because it's more of a corporate scam than a necessity. Companies want you to continue to pay for their carbon additions when, in reality, they aren't doing much for your tank and have a ridiculously short lifespan. Unless you have a heavily, heavily planted tank, or medications you need to rid your water of, I would just go without the carbon. Or, if it is something you'd like to have, consider the alternatives such as a home-made diffuser (or whatever that is Hadouken has), or some Flourish Excel.