How to Use Carbon in Fish Tanks

Carbon is used in many filtration applications to remove contaminates from water.

While there is some debate among hobbyists over its effectiveness in fish-tank filtration systems, carbon is used in many applications to purify water. Where using carbon in fish tanks, it is added to the filter reservoir so that water passes over the carbon as it cycles thorough the filter. Most of the new aquarium filtration system have slots in the reservoir designed to hold commercially made pads that contain activated carbon and it is a matter of changing out the pads. If you don't want to buy pads you can save a little money by adding bulk carbon to the filter.

Things You'll Need

• Activated carbon
• Mesh bag

Instructions

1. Select carbon with a low ash, iodine and molasses number. Carbon with a large surface area (larger pieces) will last longer and be more effective in removing contaminants from the water.

2. Measure three ounces of carbon for each 10 gallons of tank capacity.

3. Soak the carbon in plain, non-chlorinated water for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

4. Place the carbon into the mesh bag and tie off.

5. Add the mesh bag to the filter's reservoir where water will pass over it.

Tips & Warnings

• The life of the carbon can be extended by removing it from the filter and flushing it thoroughly with water to remove contaminants.

• Do not use high amounts of carbon in aquariums that have a high number of plants as it can remove nutrients vital to plant growth.

References

• Rate My Fishtank: Using Carbon in a Freshwater Aquarium

Resources

• Aqua-Fish: Activated Carbon