Opinions on Media

[jman828]

I am almost out of all the carbon packs I have for my aquaclear 20. So I'm wondering should I buy and use more. I've heard both sides some say yes and some no. So what I'm wondering is do you use it? And if not why? And finally if you do, how often do you replace it? And if you're a no person do you use anything in it's place (doesn't have to be this kind of filter)! Thanks!

[jman828]

Anyone?

[Sakura8]

For my AquaClear 20, I substitute the ammonia remover insert instead. It's white. I'm not sure, it might be called something like Zeolite insert?

[Princess Penny]

My filter uses the cartridge thingys with carbon inside... so I use those.

[Kytkattin]

I have a Hagen Aquaclear. I am a little confused by 'using something in it's place'. Like something that does something similar like the Ammo chips? Or something that takes up the space that the carbon would have went?

Since my filter is set up differently than the typical 'slot' type with the replaceable carbon inserts, the absence of carbon just means I have more room for sponges and ceramics to stack.

And as an fyi, if you choose to go with carbon, if you don't change it out once a month you might as well put ceramics in instead. After it is not 'actively working' it just becomes a place for the good bacteria to grow, and good bacteria can grow better on ceramics.

[jman828]

By in it's place I mean something similar or takes up the space either one.... And the fyi is kind of why i asked (nice for figuring it out ) and I was thinking using nothing in it's place or adding an extra sphonge or ceramic pack.

[Smokey65662]

I use it in the 10 gallon because that's what the filter takes, but I also have a bio reactor going on now with K1 to do all the bio filtering. Also aerates the water for me and doesn't move the water so the betta doesn't get blown around :) I think im going to use carbon im my sump too since its pretty cheep (if you buy it in a big carton). Might as well.....overfiltering never hurt lol

[Littlebittyfish]

I do not use carbon in my filters. I take the carbon insert out and keep it incase I need it..I use aquarium sponge to hold beneficial bacteria.

[ollief9]

Not a fan of carbon myself.