Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 1742 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:46 pm Post subject: Use of activated carbon in planted tanks
Hi All,
Came across many sites where in couple of them suggest using AC in planted tanks to remove dangerous substances such as chlorine, H2S, bleach, chloramine, tin and of course odur.
The draw back of this being it removes iron but is ineffective against chelated Iron and can mildly absorb pottasium. And these can be re-placed by PMDD.
Can some one help me understand better the pro's and con's of using this in planted tanks. If its only effecting K and Fe, Does just PMDD excessive dosing help.
Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Use of activated carbon in planted tanks
Dear Raghu
The adsorbtion is really dependent on type and state of activatated charcole which varies from brand to brand. In my experience it reduced the Fe level very fast. I was using chealeted Fe from Haifa. Plants growth will hamper due to lack of Fe.
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 1742 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:47 am Post subject: Re: Use of activated carbon in planted tanks
Hi,
I have the AC from Boyu, And it mentions that AC is in-effective on chelated Fe, But will mildly absorb pottasium.
The question that i have is if this just absorbs these, Does increasing PMDD counter the lack of trace elements when we use AC.
Joined: Oct 19, 2003 Posts: 1854 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Use of activated carbon in planted tanks
Hi Raghu:
Though AC will adsorb most nutrients in fertz., it does it for a very short period of time...That too, when it is used new (fresh from the box/pack)...it's effect will be felt for a period of five to seven days max.
Hence, by simply having it inside the filter with prolonged contact will do no harm at all...
So, if the AC is old by this time, you can put your mind to rest...it might just be harbouring beneficial bacteria (in case of a non-planted tank) and in a planted tank it might be acting as a mechanical filter media...
Coming to your Q, if you've using AC in an established planted tank, then the question of dosing parameters will arise...Well, in that case, you can adequately use chelated Fe and other elements...
Bye,
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 1742 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Use of activated carbon in planted tanks
Hi Nag,
I understand the usage of AC, I know that its life would be week to 10 days and a yellow tint in water indicates that its time to replace it. And should be used in quantities of 50 -75 gms of it for 50G. Might be Different for different setups, and should be changed frequently.
What i am looking at it is the benifits that AC gives me and i am looking at replacing it regularly may be once every month in a planted tank.
Can we still do this to eradicate the pollutant compounds and dose PMDD in slight excess and still get a healthy plant growth.
Joined: Jun 29, 2003 Posts: 7087 Location: Bengaluru, India
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject: Re: Use of activated carbon in planted tanks
Raghu what pollutants in particular are you referring to in a planted tank?
If it is discoloration of the water you want to eliminate, it may be due to green water and unicellular algae which will not be eliminated by AC. Adding AC to your filter will sequester Fe and other micros, cause an imbalance and increase other types of algae.
If it is tannins released by driftwood, IMO it does no harm.
Any ammonia from fish wastes etc., is immediately lapped up by the plants, AC again is not required.
AC will not absorb, nitrites or nitrates.
It makes sense to identify the root cause of the pollutants that are bothering you and eliminate the source rather than treat the symptoms with AC.
Planted tanks with PMDD addition anyway get a 50% water change or thereabouts weekly, so the degree of pollutants being high is near zero.
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 1742 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Use of activated carbon in planted tanks
Hi Madan,
What i was looking at was, to remove the following in one go.
Bleach, chloramine, chlorine, coloury water due to tannin's, odors and some times gas dissolved in water.
The water that i am receiving in borewell is sluggish now a days, Also the water from munciple side is added with too much of bleach / chlorine / chloramine. And more often they get mixed in my over head tank.
Also the driftwood's acidic nature and its coloury water looks very ugly some times.
Hence i was looking at eliminating these in one go which is hassle free so was looking out for options.
So was wondering if just overdosage can take care of Fe and K Â diffitiancy when adding AC, Why not live with this. Rather than the conventional method of hypo, Aeriation / storage of water, This is especially for 2 of my tanks which on a 50% weekly water change is a lot to do. And a lot to store.
Please do let me know your opinion on this. If its not worth the try then would have to live with the conventional method of storage / hypo / etc etc...
Another question that i had was does adding Na2S2O3 ( Hypo )
make water more acidic cause i see that the reaction is
Na2S2O3 + Cl2 + H2O —> Na2S04 + S + 2HCl
And excessive hypo will further react to
Na2S2O3 + 2HCl —> 2NaCl + H2O + S + SO2
And in many sites people prefer Aeriating after adding hypo before using it in aquarium to expell So2 gases, Is this true for planted tanks also, Or its just there in book and does not cause effects to our tanks.
Joined: Jun 29, 2003 Posts: 7087 Location: Bengaluru, India
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Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:07 am Post subject: Re: Use of activated carbon in planted tanks
What is the chlorine ppm in tap water about 0.125 - 0.3 ppm? HCl is of no consequence.
As for removing the chlorine etc., you could pass the tap water through a DIY cartridge containing AC slowly to get rid of the stuff while filling up your tank, rather than adding to the filter.
Getting rid of Tannins from driftwood, is your choice.
Your whole pmdd/macro dosing regime will go for a six each time you change AC.
As for removing the chlorine etc., you could pass the tap water through a DIY cartridge containing AC slowly to get rid of the stuff while filling up your tank, rather than adding to the filter.
This should be a good idea. There by no extra chemicals (Hypo) in my water. Instead i am removing them.
But still have to store the water and have to get my brittle broken sintex tank replaced immediately
But tannin's Hmmmm... Need to figure out different method now to de-colour aquarium water.
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