How long does an aquarium activated carbon or carbon filter pad last?
Carbon is used for chemical filtration
of fish tank water. It wipes out colours, bad smells, leftover medications,
dirt & other pollutants from the aquarium water.
Carbon uses adsorption, which
means that it attracts molecules to its surface where it will adsorb & hold
the pollutants until it becomes fully saturated. When carbon is fully
saturated, it’s time to replace it.
Every fish tank is different
& it is difficult to know when carbon is saturated & it is not useful
anymore. Therefore, it is recommended to replace used carbon with fresh carbon
every month.
Carbon is available in granular
or pellet form, or even infused into filter pads. Activated carbon is produced
by exposing carbon to extremely high temperature in manufacturing, offering it
heaps of surface area. Activated carbon is costlier however, it is highly
porous & these little pores make this media more efficient. Put activated
carbon in a bag in your fish tank filter.
Carbon is usually used for cleaning
fish tank water by wiping out tannins, discoloration, leftover medications,
toxic chemicals, dirt & other pollutants. Carbon can also wipe out chlorine
& heavy metals from tap water. Carbon should be removed when sick fish are
treated. It will adsorb the medicines & make it less efficient. After
treatment of fish, it is time to put back carbon in the aquarium filter so that
it absorbs the leftover medications.
It is recommended to replace
carbon on a monthly basis, as well as clean your filter & perform partial
water change. Activated carbon can be used in every fish tank & pond such
as cold water, tropical & reef. Activated carbon does not affect good
bacteria, & it does not cause abrupt growth of ammonia known as ammonia
spike.
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