Question: Media in a filter?

[layna]

So ive been googling filters today (i have a fun life i know) and came across quite a few people saying the carbon leaks toxins if its in for more than a month or so.
I think i have an internal filter, it goes inside my tank and it has sponge things inside it that get clogged up with dirt, and you have to plug it into a plug socket
So my questions are;
1) Do i need to change the carbon?
2) Is carbon the only media that goes in internal filters?
3) Can i use any brand of carbon or does it have to be brand specific with my filter?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kaysie]

I stopped using carbon in all of my tanks. I replaced everything with more filter media!

1.) Yes, you should change it once a month if you're using carbon. Carbon absorbs toxins from your tank, and will release them after a time.
2.) You'd have to take your filter apart to find out. There's probably a sponge or two inside it.
3.) Any aquarium carbon is fine.

 

[layna]

Yeah thats the problem, i dont know what is inside it, i take it out to clean it but it just looks like black square sponge, and theres two in it.
I dont know how to tell if its sponge or carbon or some other thing i have no clue about

 

[Kaysie]

If it's a sponge, you should be able to squish it. Carbon has to be in a container, so it'll feel like a box. A photo would help.

 

[layna]

I know but im at work at the moment so i cant get a pic until later, it squishes like a sponge and goes inside the filter, but ill take a photo later

 

[layna]

Okay so after more googling and talking to another aquarium owner, i have come to the conclusion i have an internal power filter...
"An internal filter may have an electric pump and thus be an internal power filter, often attached to the inside of aquaria via suction cups and contains usually two sponges so changing the media is easier"
Although mine is missing the little plastic things that usually go in the middle (god knows where they went)
So is it just sponge and i can buy some and cut it to size?

 

[rachemma]

Be carefull with carbon as it will also soften your water, which is not good for your axies. I have since switched to a cannister filter after using carbon inserts in a internal filter which lead to water softness problems

 

[layna]

I have been searching all day and still havent reached a proper answer on a carbon sponge.
Ive read quite a few websites that say it makes the water clearer, i was all set to buy some carbon sponges to replace the sponges i currently have, when i saw these little pellets that claim to be carbon, they look like the ones that are usually in between the sponge in a filter (mine doesnt have any)
so im all confused again.

1) Does anyone know if buying a carbon sponge to go in the filter is better?
2) Does it actually make your water any clearer?
3) Should i get normal sponges and buy a seperate filter bag with carbon pellets in it, or should i just buy carbon sponges, or should i not bother with the carbon at all?

arrrgh its all so confusing haha!

 

[Kaysie]

Skip the carbon. It's a hassle, and isn't really worth it (in my opinion).

 

[layna]

Haha good because it was all confusing me, cloudy tank it is then

 

[layna]

Should my filter aim to turn over ten times the tanks litres in an hour?

So if i have a 100L tank should my filter be running at 1000 L/ph?

 

[layna]

I figured it out myself got one that does 600 l/ph now im waiting to see if my tank gets any clearer! fingers crossed :smile:

 

[Bdyoung]

This is what I do for media. The ceramic media has a lot of surface area for bacteria to grow and the floss keeps the tank looking clear.

 

[layna]

Thanks, i just bought the new filter, it has two types of sponge (phosphate maybe?) and another one, then has a middle compartment with carbon pieces in it, i however thoguht i was purchasing just a filter with one type of sponge...
now i need to replace two parts of it, in two filters and it advises to do it every month, this is not the outcome i figured!
And i cant say my water is any clearer! its been in for 4 days now and looks exactly the same, and i still have my little filter i had origionally in, in the tank.
I just cant seem to get rid of my cloudy water!
And just becuase im on a rant now, my second tank i was cycling has got a huge bow in the middle of it and i now need to source a new tank!