Activated Carbon - how it effects fertz ?

[Pockets]

What effects will activated carbon have if used in a tank that is fertilized with the following dry fertilizers which are dissolved in water first and then added to the aquarium on an as needed basis.


. KNO3
. K2SO4
. KH2PO4
. Fe
. CaCl
. CaCO3
. CaSO4
. Mg

 

[tedr108]

First 4 and last one are OK for sure...don't know much about the Ca ferts.

 

[VaughnH]

If activated carbon were to affect any of those fertilizers it would be the iron, which is chelated. Seachem answered someones question on a forum about just this and said the iron is so bioavailable that it is all used by the plants before much of it could be removed by the carbon. This is consistent with what I have read before about how fast chelated iron is consumed by plants.

 

[fablau]

That's interesting... I don't use activated carbon in my tank, but I read around that somebody recommend to use it. What's your advice about that? Is it always better not to use it (as a general rule) or instead we should use it in same way (except after particular water treatments, or to remove discoloration, etc). In other words: has the regular use of activated carbon any benefit to the planted aquarium in the long run?

Thanks.

Fab.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

My take is that it has uses for new tank cycling and to remove discoloration of the water from driftwood leaching and the like, but long term is not needed for the planted tank.

I don't think it would be harmful full time, just unnecessary.

 

[VaughnH]

I agree with Gerry, with the addition of using it to remove medications when you wish to. Activated carbon removes organic compounds, but only for a week or two, before it gets "filled" up.

 

[fablau]

Thank you guys, that's what I thought

Best,
Fab.