How Important Is Carbon In An Aquarium? You Oughta Know About Activated Carbon In Fish Tanks

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[@kbalaz]

of all the fish keeping youtubers out there, you are up in the top three that I watch every video. To the point, no punches held back, very informative, no bs. Keep em coming.

[@highlandsgirl3920]

Agree with this. It's all me me me with some very well known ones. and the reason i won't subscribe to them. It gets a bit much

[@johnmortelliti2425]

Great job! A little humor, right to the point. No drawn out intro. I am glad I found this video. Thank you.

[@shawnamcintosh8890]

"What isn't controversial these days?" Nicely put.

[@grahamsmith2022]

Yet again,great advice.I've been keeping fish since '98 and I've learned something.Well done,this is what KZbin was meant for.👍✌

[@EbonRaven]

Good timing on this! I just removed the carbon from my HoB filter and switched it over to layered multi-media. My plants had already started perking up, and you answered my pondering of why they were so much happier already!

[@joedapro555]

I use carbon in a planted tank, water is crystal clear and my plants are growing. I test my water and it stays within ideal parameters for a long time.

[@mhunt7843]

John, every video is amazing. I have two of “you guys” I follow and go to and your content is so helpful. I would not be doing this well at all without you. So many amazing people out there who share. This was again very helpful and I don’t recall this being addressed before. Adore the loving jabs you give to Lisa. The two of you do so well in your presentations and the fact that you love your hobby and truly care about the success of others shows. THANK YOU! I can’t say that enough. Michael.

[@eipi5173]

Ive used carbon for decades and love it. Its my go to for crystal clear water. I just run it in an internal filter for a few hours. No need for chemical filtration and its expensive chemicals My 2 cents..

[@michellerenee8887]

I have been a fish keeper for about 4-5 months now. I have learned so much from you! I have bought many fish within those 4-5 months and now I'm addicted! I have 3 oscars, 2 plecos (small for now lol!), glofish, 2 piranha fries (I can't wait til they get bigger!) And 2 African dwarf frogs.

[@kristinaselbe2907]

Has anyone mentioned that there is a Spruce Pets article about using carbon in planted tanks and the entire article is a transcript of this video? Word for word. Love your channel, I learn so much from you guys!

[@kedeeky]

SO glad I checked this out. I just replaced my carbon filter (so I won't change anything just yet), but I'll definitely be removing it from my planted tank and adding an additional sponge. I look forward to seeing how my plants will respond!

[@chrisshirley4877]

I'm a life long, 58-year-old, fish hobbiest. Back in my early days we all used zeolite to keep our koi ponds and our aquariums safe. I'm not seeing much of that anymore, and I'm wondering why. As you know, soaking used zeolite in salt water causes it to release all of the toxins it has absorbed so you can reuse it as though it were new. This rules out using zeolite in a tank that you lightly salt to reduce skin irritations because doing so would release the toxins as fast as it absorbs them. But in a tank that is salt free, I've always been an advocate of using zeolite. What is your take on the matter?

[@klinekg1]

Thanks a lot. You cleared all my doubts about buying carbon for my new aquarium. It will be a planted tank so I will skip the carbon filter.

[@debrasanders1985]

Lakes, rivers, streams have a unique smell, a properly kept tank will have a similar smell. Imo, if a tank has the same smell as purified water, it's not a proper ecosystem. Hiking trails, with or without water, also have their own particular smells.

[@backwardpawn9475]

Instead of wasting money buying manufacturers replacement cartridges, just buy a media filter bag and put some carbon in it. Drop in the filter and your good to go.

[@unified95]

Where do you buy the carbon/charcoal for the bags?

[@palmbeachfloridaliving]

@@unified95 you can buy at local fish store.

[@patrisiaszatmari2122]

Someone with brains ! 👌🏻

[@damemelusine4879]

Hi John! Thank you and Lisa for your hard work and what is turning out to be a prolific year! It would be awesome if you did a series on fishkeeping when life happens. Something else then what to do during a power outage or moving, which is already very well discussed on youtube. Maybe fishkeeping while pregnant; with toddlers running around, my kid just ate fishfood, now what?; realistic expectations when you buy your kid a tank; just lost your job and cant afford to maintain a high tech planted, where to prioritize; insurance issues; planning for long-lived fish such as koi, monster fish or expensive tanks in your will...

[@1royalpalm]

Wow ..duh, never thought it was taking out my ferts ...off i go to take it out !! Your guys are the best

[@theR6969]

1royalpalm , you don't .. Carbon doesn't adsorb inorganic compunds like Nitrogen compounds or minerals, this guy doesn't know what he's talking about .. do your own research.

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Same here, I have a planted tank and didn't realize this! Still learning.

[@blakesfishkeeping6442]

@@theR6969 really? This guy knows more than you'll ever know in your whole life lol. SMH. Idiot.

[@AZTEC_ARTS]

I have cartridges that can be "emptied / opened" .... should i just empty the carbon, put fresh carbon in, so as to save the "good" bacteria on the wool of the cartridges ?

[@FISTSLIKEBULLETS2]

I had aquariums for 30 years or more started in the 70's and now havnt been for years now after the fun appreciation for fish and time put in stopped , like you buy a fish now they get too big so hey you're out of luck bud , no trade ins no selling for more because you spent the time growing and feeding and a beast of a cool Chiclid 12 -22 inches it was a fun era but man idk , shops today want nothing to do with the bigger beasts and I had them all since the 70's big and badass , even ordered the 1st batch of Parachromis Managuensis to ever come to my Country or area working at a local shop at the time , I had Oscars and Jacks all that stuff , but things went down hill around the mid 90's , I would go rescue and take fish in from restaurants , hair dressing places malls some big fish some smaller African Cichlids and South American , Central American it got to the point that no one wanted or cared about the big uglies like Tiger Oscars and Pacus and Dovii , the Red Devils and Buttercofferi , maybe one day I might start up again but as far as activated carbon yes use it and reactivate it a couple times then buy a new bag or cartridge it works you can see the fish swim toward the jets after a tank cleaning and a reason for it , at the time I was running 1 Fluval 403 and 2 Magnum 350's and 2 good size powerheads on my under gravel filters 200 plus gallon tanks and crystal clear maybe clean them every six months

[@MrDrasen23]

Interesting. I use a carbon infused filter sponge in my planted tank and all my plants are thriving. My Java ferns are getting out of control growing and reproducing like crazy, while my anubias is stretching all the way to the top of the tank. (15 gallon column tank)

[@rjay7460]

I’m no expert but I’ve read Carbon does not remove ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate which plants thrive on. I can only guess though that carbon would soak up certain elements from fertilisers.

[@musician200X]

I love your take on tannins lol it cracks me up.

[@BigDsmoke]

Wow I 1st got into fishkeeping in 1993 too, I was 17yo.

[@alfredvara1385]

Very important my plants do fine even with carbon and UV running

[@InfinityMan_0]

Thjanks for video, I didn't know why carbon was there. All of the cartridges that I have have the carbon and white stuff (Floss) intermeshed together. So when they say to remove the carbon, I have to just remove the whole thing. My fish got fin rot and I put some medication in there, and I had to take the cartridge out and now my aquarium looks like L.A. on a bad day (smoggy)

[@boricuastone]

I have planted tank all my life everybody keep telling me when you use charcoal you can’t use fertilize it because it won’t work my fishtanks are beautiful planted tank I don’t know where that come from maybe true but he does work for me with my fertilizer so I guess I could use in it and still have my plant to tank thank for the video

[@wowdad3055]

what don't works for others can work for you .

[@theR6969]

you're right and he is wrong. Carbon doesn't adsorb inorganic compunds like Nitrogen compounds and Minerals, which what the plants use .. Carbon adsorbs organic compunds that can cause taste/smell/color . so this guy is peddling misinformation as truths. do your own research and only take from the sources that are backed by facts and science, not misinformation and hear-say like what this guy is spreading.

[@heyyyyyyyyyyyuyyy123]

@@theR6969 thank you he has got people thinking things that just aren't fact

[@hitwarriors8040]

If you're using Fulvic Acid which is the best form of trace minerals for plants and fish. Its what they naturally the rivers and carbon does not filter out these minerals nor does zeolite. They both actually work in synergy together. Yes they will remove chemicals but not fulvic and humic minerals.

[@wild_amano1103]

Hey there accidentally dropped a few activated carbon inside my tank, will that be a problem ?

[@skipsnapdoesfish8457]

I stopped using carbon after a discussion with my lfs. I only use it in my QT tanks after preventative meds to clean up the tank after that. I use a hang on back with some filter sponges, filter floss sheets, and a coarse sponge at the bottom. I work at a PetSmart and I have been steering customers away from those cartridges. Several people have thanked me for it, it’s just not as important as people think

[@atomic_9182]

I don’t think carbon does anything to take particulates out of the water. I’ve never heard that before. I work in the environmental field and we use carbon to adsorb chemicals but we use filtration to take out the particulates. Actually the particulates end up plugging the pore spaces between the carbon grains.

[@theR6969]

atomic_918 , carbon only adsorbs organic compunds and doesn't touch half the stuff he listed .. doesn't adsorb Chlorine/Chloramine either but breaks them down and only depends on the quality of the the carbon .. this guy is just repeating misinformation like a parrot without any verification.

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Glad I watched! I use some peat moss and drift wood in my tank's filter in order to lower the PH. It turns a little brown each week, but nothing the water change doesn't fix.

[@goldboy391]

Please do a video on the Green Terror Cichlid. Don’t see a lot of “big aquarium” channels doing one. Would love to hear what you have to say about them, see if I’m doing anything wrong with mine.

[@pancudowny]

Since learning of what use [in effect and long-term cost] well-sized bio-filtration methods are--versus use of carbon and/or zeolyte--I've eliminated carbon from my system. However, I still employ it, but in a much smarter way.... As part of my water-change kit, I use a RV/Marine freshwater inline carbon filter to eliminate chlorine and small particles in the replacement water. They're inexpensive, available anywhere RV and boating supplies are, and last me at least 9-months of refills of 60-70% of my 29-gal community.

[@RoundhouseAquatics]

you started in 93? wow that brings me back

[@infamousRED91]

I used a combination of carbon and a UV filter to fix my algae problem, to stop new growth and changed my water changes to twice a week %5 mid week and %10-20 on weekend's, also went and picked up a few plants.. yes time to finally dabble in the aquatic plants! Haven't used carbon since,but I was using it not all the time but just to my own discretion, 4-6 weeks at a time. Yes there is a basic way to own and maintain aquariums... But alot of other things are extra and just do it how you want

[@RAZASHARP]

Great video bro! So I was cleaning my 55 gallon with my two iridescent sharks… The carbon bag broke, some carbon also fell in the water.. I was terrified I thought the fish were going to die! I also have live plants that were dying a couple months after I bought them now I know why!!! so I’m going to go without the carbon bags now!!! Thanks so much for this video

[@leewilson5539]

I use for alge but i have a planted tank. I have a whisper 60 that has a little in the filters but hasnt messed with my plants much. Now iv doubled my carbon hoping to hinder my hair alge problem. Flag fish was not the answer omg

[@randomtube8226]

Im using plenty of fresh activated carbon in my filter in my goldfish pond to help treat cloudy water. But for some reason after a week goes by. No improvements at all. So I throw out the old and add more fresh carbon to the filter. Along with water changes. In hopes to cycle out the dirty cloudy water. Strange the carbon is doing nothing at all. What could be going on?

[@Doctor_Portly_64]

Hate to sound like a fool but is there a way to remove the smell from a planted tank without using Carbon? If not is it possible to put the carbon in occasionally to absorb the smell and then taking it out?

[@bernadettebothabb2816]

Fhanks! Helped me alot!!! Didn't know the plants part.. luckily i never had the urge to add it to my plant tank

[@stewartfooter3580]

I use fluval polycarb pads and they work well,i do not buy branded ones as they are 5/6 pounds for two pads so i buy 12 of exactly the same for 10.99,they work exactly the same.

[@dennyclose6635]

Thank you for the advice John!! Thanks for sharing!

[@5milemacc737]

How should one switch over from carbon to not? Can I just leave my filter floss and sponges in my filter? Will that be enough bio-media?

[@liamwilkins9311]

So I added carbon to my filter before I add the plants to clear the woods tannins..is that OK?

[@investorbettor505]

If we have a hang on back filter and we need to treat a fish with api general cure, What do we use in place of the replaceable carbon filter ?

[@drewmartinez424]

i dont understand fish talk lmao, thank you for the analogy made complete sense

[@crystalsenpai3299]

Had no idea about the carbon absorbing the fertilizers, ran to remove it right away.

[@angeladodge6122]

I bought the carbon, tabs and filters you put together yourself- am I supposed to rinse the carbon first? The first time I put the filter in I got a black cloud that covered my tank- is this normal?

[@theholt2ic219]

Carbon is imo a must in a fish only freshwater and saltwater tank. And its really good in a reef tank. I probably would not use it in a planted tank though.

[@gazyg1973]

New subscriber great advice man thanks 🙏 so much👍

[@melodeeaaron]

Hello, John et al: I’m a newcomer to the channel and a former fish keeper. At least 20 years ago (closer to 25, I think), I kept a good number of fish and most were live-bearers...guppies, mollies, platys, and swords mostly in a variety of sub-types. Also in the mix were a few tetras: mostly neons and variants, some cardinals, and a tiny number of more “esoteric” tetras. Back then, as you say, carbon was a “must have” in every aquarium. Also in the mix was usually some zeolite, though I never really understood the wisdom of its continuous use. But now fast-forward to today… Your videos have sort of stirred the sleeping fish hobbyist in me, and I’m considering getting back into things again. Yes, I’ll have to buy all new equipment and supplies, but so what? Be the same if I decided to take up golf, right? Just to give you some perspective, my old setup consisted of 4 55-gallon “main” tanks and a pair of 29-gallon tanks used as quarantine/hospital tanks. I suspect I would go back to a similar setup now, though I might go with bigger main tanks (70 or 90-gallon?) since I have a lot more room now. Some rough measurements say I could fit at least 4 90-gallon tanks in my office, maybe even 5 of them. Again I would probably stay with live-bearers and tetras...I really have little interest in cichlids other than maybe angels. And, recently, shrimp have a sort of odd appeal to me, too, though I have never kept them. In my old systems, I always used a combination of under-gravel, sponge, and over-the-back filters to keep the water super clean and provide good bio-filtration. Personally I was never a fan of canister filters back then. Maybe the newer units are better. One problem I recall way back in time that I hope you have a video on or, perhaps, some information about is in regards to air pumps. I always found diaphragm pumps noisy (other than the Little Giant pumps) and unreliable with the rubber parts failing on a very regular basis. Piston pumps were equally noisy and priced about the same as an equal amount of gold. Back in the good-old-days I used a bunch of diaphragm pumps (usually 2-3 per tank) so when they failed each tank would still have some air going in. What is your spin on air pumps? Which are good? Bad? Any pros and cons on types? I know you won’t feed us a line. Lastly, I would love to see more videos from you on live-bearers and the smaller tetras. Thanks for reawakening the fish freak in me that has been floating around belly-up inside of my head for more than 2 decades! Keep Loving! Melodee Aaron

[@gmoorach]

Regarding plat ferts and carbon: Faster growing plants can probably use the ferts faster than the carbon can absorb them.

[@PerplexiaX]

I thought it was just to help keep the ammonia down... Nice to know the facts! Thanks buddy! :-)

[@brandonhorwath6351]

zeolite can help reduce ammonia.

[@theR6969]

Carbon DOESN'T reduce ammonia or any other inorganic compunds .. this guy got half his information wrong.

[@PerplexiaX]

@@theR6969 What are your thoughts about it then? ...and what exactly did he get wrong? Teach me!

[@PerplexiaX]

@@brandonhorwath6351 What's Zeolite?

[@tayloraprile3851]

@@brandonhorwath6351 I have also heard that is has a maximun absorption capacity and after many mysterious fish deaths, I will not use it in my tanks ever again. Apparently, once it reaches its max absorption capacity, it begins leeching whatever is absorbed back into the water (normal bioload + ammo chip bioload was enough to overwhelm the bio filter). As far as I'm concerned, if your tanks are that overstocked that you need to use ammo chips, you're doing something wrong. Minimize the stock, add some plants... there are so many other options.

[@tayloraprile3851]

I haven't used carbon in my tanks for at least 8 years and my fish have never been healthier (no plants, just malaysian driftwood and mass amounts of tannins that the clown loach seems to love). I only use the sponge particle filter and bio balls. Also, the only time I have ever smelled the "sulfur" smell was when my tank was not cycled. I believe when the tank is cycled properly, you will never smell anything but clean water.

[@fabianines6112]

But doesn’t the tanks smells ?? Bc in my experience I’ve use carbon and it helps remove the the Oder but when I don’t use it for a day it smells like cheese fishy and I have plants SOO you think I’ll should add carbon?

[@cheesyvolcano5158]

New tank undergoing nitrogen cycle, can I use carbon? does affect to those quick start or optima thing?

[@Leanne_w]

My aquarium as suddenly started smelling, with this help. I’ve done a water change. I have 2 tanks and done water change on both I used the same filters etc. But for some reason one is a little cloudy and smells. I have the filters with the sponges, van I just had the carbon pieces in with the sponges? Or will I nee to put them into a bag. Could you responds ASAP if you can, because I need to sort the issue lol, I’m sick at the moment and the smell doesn’t help. Thanks you. I will be very grateful for a response. I know this is an old video, so I’m not sure if you will see this lol

[@VinylUnboxings]

Get a hang on back filter

[@Leanne_w]

@@VinylUnboxings Thankyou for your advice. The issue is sorted now. If it ever happens again I will do.

[@DivinityinLove]

If I take the carbon filter out, I just have biomax and foam sponges... Is there something I can replace the carbon/polycarbon with? for effective filtration without removing fertilizers? I've been wasting expensive fertilizer not even knowing this :/ Thanks!

[@VL-bf3iq]

Thank you, Great Video!! Really helps, got it figured out. Narrowed down to New Tank syndrome w/o cloud, leaning on that for now. But keeping an eye on water conditions & activity of water babies. Thanks again, G-Ma in Indiana

[@futuresocieties.]

What exactly are water conditioners removing in the water as far as hard metals, pesticides and things of that nature.. and how does it differ from that of what carbon removes?

[@kercoribamollymalone2320]

Ok this is perfect! Thanks so much ! Recently got a few plants and i took out the carbon as i was told to but never understood why now ill be keeping it out! Great videos👍

[@top_mf_n_here1806]

Carbon not needed if you do regular water changes and your tank is established, just a waste of space that can be used for more media. Only time I use it is to take medication out of the water.

[@zacthesoda2416]

I have a qestoin about fillters. I have a goldfish tank with 7 moss balls and fake plants. I ended up geting 2 blader snails with them. (They were a surpise) They seem to work well in my tank so I bought some onile. They died off think it was a mix of adding 12 at once and goldfish learning how to eat them. However the other day I saw one moveing along the tank. I checked my fillter think there's like 14 baby's in there. It smell I cleaned it. I want to know if they will die and casue ammonia spikes or if they will keep my filter mieda clean. Because when I add them to tank the tend to go to the filter.

[@LRBaquatics]

One of my mistakes I made was for paying for carbon. I never use it any more and my tanks smell great.

[@toddsnake2137]

Saw your review on the Fluval Sea Marine & Reef 3.0 LED light you did back in November. Have you tried the Fluval AquaSky LED light? Seems like it would work fine on a cichlid tank and can be purchased for just over $100.....quite a bit less expensive than the Sea Marine & Reef style.

[@Anytyme06]

I put a carbon filter on my hose and carbon filter in the canister for a week after every water change

[@thethingwithfins]

Hmmm I have a cartridge filter I replaced with sponges(It has two spots for cartridges)... I wonder if using one of the sponges with a cartridge as well might help my algae outbreak (Free floating)

[@kiddt1999]

Thank you. I just started up a new 120 and i am using a fluval fx6. I must not have rinsed the carbon well enough and i have floating dust. How can i remove this? No fish yet but planning on peacock cichlids. Thanks !

[@wajahatkhan7780]

I've heard that activated carbon is used to remove medications. Is it used to remove specific types of medications or all types of medications, and why?

[@sayurasem]

I love fulfic acid tannins in my tank to prevent bacterial infections and diseases.

[@bwortham1987]

Glad I saw this video before I added plants...thanks

[@mewieful]

If I have an aqeon 10g filter that uses carbon filters is there a non carbon filter cart replacement alternative? I am setting up an aquarium with corys, plants and eventually ADFs

[@Teddzworth]

So are there any replacement options for the carbon in a planted tank? I’d rather my tank not smell like rotten eggs just because I have plants in my tank and would like my fertilizers to go the distance. Any work arounds?

[@OldSchoolGrimm]

I have two marimo mass balls in my tank would some carbon in my external canister be harm to them?

[@scottaidanjarvis4429]

Will using carbon make algae treatment ineffective?

[@zhgmuet3365]

Help me out plzz...can carbon active treat nitrate...??

[@eddwiggins4383]

Very helpful Thanks

[@marcbana-ay5608]

Wb discus buffers? Will carbon cancel that out?

[@SpHyNx842009]

Does Seachem Purigen work the same way or better? I've got my opinion, I'm curious about yours.

[@119Agent]

What about combatting black beard algae in a planted tank?

[@brandonhorwath6351]

I breed goldfish and keep Bettas. I ONLY use carbon after medicating sick fish in a quarantine tank.

[@kmybitptys]

But ADA makes NA Carbon that can be used on planted aquariums

[@BeeKayCee911]

Thanks Alot👍

[@QueenLogic87]

Interesting.. Good video. But what if I remove the use of carbon? I have planted tank. Won't my water get hazed and start to smell.. It's an 80gallon and pretty much stocked to its limits with fish... Please help? I use tons of fertilizer each day because of the carbon.. I don't want a smelly tank.

[@AlecBig]

Hmm black water tanks weird maybe to get a natural water look? I like really clear water look. Good to know about carbon and planted tanks though because I don't use a dirt like substrate only use fertilizer for my live plants and now wonder if they will be better with out the carbon? Will have to try and see.

[@SUPERMAN-pn7dm]

THANKS MATE, THAT WAS REALLY HELPFUL INFO,

[@Binkitastic46290]

Thabks for the content definately adding carbon to my cichlid tank

[@kuatiogui]

i have dragon stones aquascape, and the dragon stones has lots of bits and pieces of fine dust particles in the tank all the time. can i add carbon, or seachem purigen and like 3 months to remove them...? and then remove the carbon?

[@xxkitsunefirexx]

Carbon won't help if you have particulates you want to remove from your tank, its job is reacting with and binding dissolved chemicals. If you need to remove particulates you're better off hunting down a really fine filter floss or a polishing pad that can trap that floating debris.

[@irfanaziz550]

How about coral and live rock does it count as planted so i have to move the carbon and vice versa

[@crazyaboutafricancichlids1612]

Good topic John. Great video.

[@larryagius832]

Thanks no one ever told me this and i have a planted aquarium with carbon in my filter

[@theR6969]

Larry Agius , he is wrong since Carbon doesn't adsorb inorganic compunds like the Nitrogen compounds and Minerals the plants use. do your own research and don't listen to self proclaimed "know it all"s will half baked "information".

[@rebelhackett]

I have always used disposable carbon filters and they work good. But what is a better option than carbon? Really didn't know there was other options.

[@Vivra_Verra____]

I definitely don’t need it for a planted tank. I just use Purigen.

[@fishwhisperer262]

great video John

[@MrJaemonite]

awesome video thanks for that information 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@theR6969]

Joel M-Phillips , half of his information is wrong .. do your own research and go for scientific studies backed by research and facts.

[@pauloalves4337]

I only use it after a treatment.

[@russellturner579]

I do water changes weekly do I have to remove carbon wen i add prime seachem wen do water change

[@debrasanders1985]

I like the smell of my tank. I have plants, and some tannins, smells like outdoors to me. I ditched the carbon.

[@BriansAquariums]

Great video. Thanks for the refresher on carbon.

[@zeploa1044]

does carbon absorb aloe vera for example in API stress coat?

[@Canadianbatgirl62]

Quick question, if someone has a hob filter with a carbon cartridge and they change it regularly, aren't they destroying the BB and causing ammonia spikes?

[@KGTropicals]

Yes but it shouldn’t be enough to really hurt anything.

[@Canadianbatgirl62]

@@KGTropicals Thanks for the reply. Love your videos.😊