Substitute for Carbon

[MHEAD]

Has anyone used "Renew" filtration media in place of carbon for apisto tanks? It is sold by That Fish Place and many others probably and is said to act just like carbon but without the side effects. Thanks.

 

[Lisachromis]

Is there any reason you are using the carbon to begin with? You really don't need it unless your water stinks or you need to remove medications from the water imho.

 

[MHEAD]

Hi Lisa. To be honest, I thought everyone used carbon. Is it necessary for certain types of fish? I have kribensis, rams and cacatuoides and use whisper power filters which come with carbon as you know. What do you think? Tom

 

[Lisachromis]

You can use it if you like, but to me it's mainly a waste of money unless like I said before you're removing meds or smells.

I haven't used carbon in any of my 30+ tanks for over 10 years.

It's one of those things you can decide to use or not. Either way isn't bad.

 

[MHEAD]

Wow, that is really interesting. I guess I will try going without and also try some of that Renew I first mentioned. I appreciate the information and advice from an expert and a great forum to learn from. Tom

 

[Mike Wise]

May I suggest that you replace the carbon in your filter bags with a biological media like ceramic rings. Let the 'bugs' do the work; they do it a lot cheaper.

When I was an assitant supervisor on a SuperFund toxic clean up site we tested 2 different methods for removing cancer causing chemical in ground water. One was 'pump & treat' using clay and top quality carbon. The other was 'pump & perc(ulate)' of the ground water over soil piles inoculated with special bacteria. The carbon worked best for quick removal, but was very expensives (tons of the best carbon available). The biological system took more time to digest the pollutants, but the bacterial method was self regenerating - and much less expensive.

 

[MHEAD]

Mike, thanks for the tip about ceramic rings--I was a real estate attorney so have some knowledge of superfund sites but in my next life I am going all environmental. Thanks, Tom

 

[Apistomaster]

I use Purigen on my planted Hecklel Discus tanks. It is in a PhosBan reactor modified to retain the small spheres. I know I do not need it but it does seem to have some positive effects but these are subjective conclusions based only on my perception of the discus' reactions.
I have also used it in conjunction with spawning set ups. It is claimed that Purigen increases the redox potential. My guess this is a side effect of the removal dissolved organics. Some difficult fish have bred coincident to its use in the spawning tanks when water changes alone had failed. Still, all circumstantial evidence that it did anything.
Purigen is similar to Renew and initially more expensive but it also is easily rechargeable so the costs are not that high over time.
I repeat, this product or carbon are not essential to keeping aquarium water in good condition. I use it on only one tank out of my 25 and then more as an experiment.

 

[ed seeley]

I know I do not need it but it does seem to have some positive effects but these are subjective conclusions based only on my perception of the discus' reactions.
I have also used it in conjunction with spawning set ups.

I'd be really interested to know more about your opinions on this. I use Purigen in my nano tank to see if it will help with some algae by removing organics, but am intrigued by what you said to use it in my other tanks. I understand they are very subjective opinions but would be interested to hear them.

 

[georgedv]

I have seen and ignored this thread since it went up, thinking "everyone uses carbon...what else is there?" I read it because it kept moving up. I wish I had read it earlier.

Can anybody provide more info on these products, Purigen, ceramic rings, and Renew. Are these brand names or items (like we say carbon)? I use Emperor external filters on all my 20, 29, 55, 75, 95 gal tanks. Only my 10 have sponge filters. Can these products be used w/Emperor ext. filters? Where do I find these things? Finally, any other info you find needed for some one that has never used such products.


Thank you

g

 

[ed seeley]

I have seen and ignored this thread since it went up, thinking "everyone uses carbon...what else is there?" I read it because it kept moving up. I wish I had read it earlier.

Can anybody provide more info on these products, Purigen, ceramic rings, and Renew. Are these brand names or items (like we say carbon)? I use Emperor external filters on all my 20, 29, 55, 75, 95 gal tanks. Only my 10 have sponge filters. Can these products be used w/Emperor ext. filters? Where do I find these things? Finally, any other info you find needed for some one that has never used such products.


Thank you

g

Seachem's website is very good for info on their products.
Purigen
Renew

And this is a link to some simple ceramic ring filter media.
Ceramic media - JBL Cermec
Ceramic media Close up