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Posted by robbins876 on March 21, 2005, 5:26 pm
Please log in for more thread options I have a charcoal filter that that came with my 10 gallon tank
starter-kit. I've been reading up on biological filtration. Am I
correct in the fact that charcoal filters are not the same as bio
filters? Since I don't have a bio filter, how imperative is it that I
get one? IS charcoal just a chemical filter?
Thanks,
Rob
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Posted by Justin Boucher on March 21, 2005, 3:55 pm
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Yes, charcoal is technically a chemical filter. Not everyone uses charcoal
either.
A biological filter is a necessity for an aquarium. There are many
different types (bio-wheels, filter pad, canister, undergravel, etc.) The
principle point of a biofilter is to use nitro-bacteria to convert the toxic
compounds of ammonia and nitrite to the non-toxic nitrate.
Check out information on the Nitrogen cycle for aquariums or information
about "cycling" you tank.
Justin
> I have a charcoal filter that that came with my 10 gallon tank
> starter-kit. I've been reading up on biological filtration. Am I
> correct in the fact that charcoal filters are not the same as bio
> filters? Since I don't have a bio filter, how imperative is it that I
> get one? IS charcoal just a chemical filter?
>
> Thanks,
> Rob
>
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Posted by Ozdude on March 21, 2005, 5:49 pm
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>I have a charcoal filter that that came with my 10 gallon tank
> starter-kit. I've been reading up on biological filtration. Am I
> correct in the fact that charcoal filters are not the same as bio
> filters?
Yes. Charcoal is chemical filtration, partly a mechanical filter as well,
dependent on the size of the charcoal.
> Since I don't have a bio filter, how imperative is it that I
> get one? IS charcoal just a chemical filter?
Charcoal is used for removing chemical toxins in the water. It will not act
as a biological filter. What you you should aim for to have biological
filtration, which is where are all of your good bacteria will live, is
remove the carbon and replace it with plain old, cheap filter floss or
sponge. Then your tank will have to go through an establishing cycle, which
could be stressful for some or all or your current fish, so you need to read
up on that before you venture into it.
Try these links for some infomative information:
http://www.2cah.com/netmax/basics/water/water.shtml
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/nutrient/nitcyc.shtml
They should give you some ideas about what and how to change the filter's
media over and the pitfalls of not doing it patiently or properly.
Is this filter air driven by any chance? One of those little green cartridge
types with carbon at the top and foam in the bottom half? If so, I'd remove
it and replace it with a small sponge filter.
Oz
--
My Aquatic web Blog is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/ivan.smith
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Posted by dfreas on March 21, 2005, 9:03 pm
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Well two people have told you that yes charcoal is a chemical filter
and no it isn't a bio filter. What they haven't told you is that yes it
is a bio filter (indirectly). Just like everything else in your tank.
Nitrifying bacteria are going to grow everywhere whether you ask them
to or not, and as it happens carbon tends to have a large surface area
and be prime spawning grounds for that bacteria.
You don't need to get another filter, the one you have will be fine as
long as you don't overstock your tank. In fact I use cheap hang on the
tank carbon filters almost exclusively in my planted tanks. I put the
carbon in the floss bag at the startup of the tank to help the tank get
through that rocky cycling period and then I just never change the
charcoal. Bacteria grow in the filter and the charcoal gets used up and
eventually leaches stuff back into the aquarium but by then my plants
are established and ready to eat it up.
Even if you don't intend to have a planted tank this filter will
probably be completely adequate for a ten gallon tank. If you want to
be sure then buy a test kit for ammonia and nitrates and keep an eye on
the two of them. If you don't like what you see then add another filter
- but I seriously doubt it will make any difference. Even with no
filtration there is usually enough bacteria growing in the substrate of
a ten gallon tank to completely nitrify any ammonia and as long as your
ammonia reading is zero adding extra biological filters isn't going to
accomplish anything.
-Daniel
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Posted by anemone on March 22, 2005, 1:33 am
Please log in for more thread options Can i also point out that this person HAS overstocked his tank
" just got my first 10 gallon aquarium last Wednesday (5 days ago). I
let the water set-up for 24 hours before putting my two fantail
goldfish and one black moor in the tank"
as noted by his previous post?
> Well two people have told you that yes charcoal is a chemical filter
> and no it isn't a bio filter. What they haven't told you is that yes it
> is a bio filter (indirectly). Just like everything else in your tank.
> Nitrifying bacteria are going to grow everywhere whether you ask them
> to or not, and as it happens carbon tends to have a large surface area
> and be prime spawning grounds for that bacteria.
>
> You don't need to get another filter, the one you have will be fine as
> long as you don't overstock your tank. In fact I use cheap hang on the
> tank carbon filters almost exclusively in my planted tanks. I put the
> carbon in the floss bag at the startup of the tank to help the tank get
> through that rocky cycling period and then I just never change the
> charcoal. Bacteria grow in the filter and the charcoal gets used up and
> eventually leaches stuff back into the aquarium but by then my plants
> are established and ready to eat it up.
>
> Even if you don't intend to have a planted tank this filter will
> probably be completely adequate for a ten gallon tank. If you want to
> be sure then buy a test kit for ammonia and nitrates and keep an eye on
> the two of them. If you don't like what you see then add another filter
> - but I seriously doubt it will make any difference. Even with no
> filtration there is usually enough bacteria growing in the substrate of
> a ten gallon tank to completely nitrify any ammonia and as long as your
> ammonia reading is zero adding extra biological filters isn't going to
> accomplish anything.
>
>
> -Daniel
>
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> starter-kit. I've been reading up on biological filtration. Am I
> correct in the fact that charcoal filters are not the same as bio
> filters? Since I don't have a bio filter, how imperative is it that I
> get one? IS charcoal just a chemical filter?
>
> Thanks,
> Rob
>