The filter cartridges I bought already have some carbon in them, and I was wondering if it will HURT anything to have it in. I know unless I am trying to remove meds that it really does nothing and that space would be better used to grow bacteria elsewhere, like on ceramic noodles or something.

But I have extra media baskets in all of my filters (Emperors) so I am not worried about the space. It is a pain in the butt to slit the floss and get the carbon out, so I am wondering if it will hurt to just leave it in there? I will probably make my own cartridges in the future anyway, but I am just thinking until these are gone it would be easier to leave the carbon in there. The tank is all cycled and everything. Thanks!

Carbon won't hurt anything and it does actually do something. Carbon absorbs organic waste, it is a form of chemical filtration that keeps the water cleaner and clearer. Koko uses carbon in all her tanks (last I heard).

Once the carbon has reached full capacity it is no longer useful as chemical filtration but you can leave it in the filter if you like because bacteria will grow in it just like any other media, so it becomes part of the biological filtration of the tank.

If you are not going to regularly replace the carbon remember that if you add salt to the tank all the waste absorbed by the carbon will be released and play havoc with your water parameters.

So, it's best to use it and replace it regularly or not use at all really.

If your carbon has reached full capacity, will running it under tap water clean it off a bit? or will it not make a difference? also with all the impurities and waste stuck on it, isn't it hard for bacteria to grow on it?

Rinsing carbon under water will only remove solid waste build-up. The dissolved stuff has been absorbed and can only be released by salt. Most carbons are not able to be regenerated, some more expensive brands are, so you need to check the instructions.

Bacteria feeds on waste, so it will grow on anything that traps the waste, including carbon.

Thanks Annette!

I am coming to the realization that with my poop monsters I need to change the floss at least once a month, so the carbon will be changed at the same time. If I go to add salt for any reason i will make sure and change them out and remove the carbon first.

The floss bags I was using before came with carbon but in a separate bag so you could add it if you wanted. These come with it already inside, (the cartridges are the ones Dr. Foster's sells-their own version of the Emperor/Penguin ones) and separated into three compartments to avoid the "tea bag" effect, which is great-IF you want the carbon! But removing it takes ages, you have to slit open each compartment and try and get the carbon out of the floss layers. I have three cartridges to change, although now I am going to put them on a rotating schedule, so it takes quite awhile.

I think when these cartridges are gone I will probably just buy floss and make them myself anyway, although I am awfully lazy!

Thanks for the info, I did not think it would hurt anything, but I had forgotten about the salt thing. :-)

Hi Jen626!!!!

I'm having the same issue, and posted about it about a month ago. I'm getting tired of emptying the carbon out of my Penguin filters, and with 3 Penguins, making filters would be too time consuming. I think I'm going to do the same thing - change the floss once a month and leave the carbon in it. I have extra ceramic bio thingies in the filter that collect lots of good bacteria, so I don't think changing the floss more often will hurt my cycle.

How are your fishies doing???

how often should you replace the carbon. my bluewave5 filter has large carbon balls. about the size of marbles and about 40 of them. and it says to replace them every 6 months. Should i do it more often.

its a 30 gal tank.

Usually carbon should be replaced every month at least but i have never seen the type you have. If the instructions say 6 months then go with that.

Hi, does this mean that if you regularly add salt to your water as a preventive, it is NOT adviseable to use carbon? Could this then explain why I still have cloudy water despite daily water changes? I regularly add salt and my filter is fitted with carbon aside from ceramic rings.

That's right. If regularly using salt, it is better not to use carbon, this may explain your cloudy water although other issues may be happening as well.