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Activated Carbon

Activated carbon in granular or powdered form provides one type of chemical filtration. Activated carbon removes discoloration, dyes, colors, phosphate, chlorine, chloramine, antimony, arsenic, chromium, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, some of the heavy metals and many other toxins in varying degree.

It also removes many fish medications at the end of therapy. It is ideal for prefiltration of the tapwater to remove most of the residual toxins left after municipal water treatment and some of the toxins that have been added in water treatment! Activated carbon does not remove ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, so do not expect it to take the place of biological or mechanical filtration.

It does what it does, and it does it well, and should be an integral part of your plan, but with full knowledge of its properties.

Activated carbon (AC) adsorbs the above named toxins. Based on the concentration of the toxin in the water, the effective lifespan of the carbon could be a few hours or a few days. Activated carbon is not meant to be used as filter media in biological filters. It is often combined with filter floss and left in the filter for an indeterminate period of time.

This is not the correct way to use carbon. Once it has been used to remove toxins from the water, it should not be left in the aquarium to serve as a biological media. There are other, more appropriate media for this purpose.

Written by Mary Ellen Sweeney