Activated carbon is often used to filter water in an aquarium. The substance is famous for its ability to quickly remove unpleasant odors and make water more transparent. In addition, coal removes medicinal components from it if treatment of the fish has occurred. Aquarists disagree about the need to use this substance. Some use it on an ongoing basis, while others prefer not to use it at all. The carbon filter for the aquarium is the most budgetary and common form for water purification. Therefore, it is worth considering its pros and cons, as well as the possibility of independent manufacture of the device.
What is it used for?
Activated carbon is intended for various purposes, including medical ones. In aquarium, it is used for:
- eliminating unpleasant odor and clarification of water;
- giving it special transparency;
- removal of supplements, drugs and fertilizers.
It was noticed that if for several weeks you do not carry out a partial change of water in the tank where the fish swim, then an unpleasant odor appears in it. The carbon filter for the aquarium is able to eliminate such problems and does not require special installation conditions.
Features of use
Often corals and all kinds of plants are placed in the aquarium. However, for the full growth of its inhabitants, light is needed. In order for the used lamps to have full return, the water must be transparent. For this, a carbon filter for aquariums is useful. As a result of its installation, all substances that interfere with the penetration of light disappear. But experienced aquarists warn that coal should be used carefully:
- if there are many corals in a water tank, then a large amount of black substance can damage them;
- when before this water was cloudy, corals experience a slight shock with a sharp clarification.
To understand whether it is necessary to purify water, it is worth looking at a tank with fish from one side of its wall. If the opposite glass is not visible, then you need a charcoal filter for aquariums. He is able to cleanse the container of dissolved organics and make the water transparent.
Additional features
The carbon filter for the aquarium has great potential. For what it is needed, it is known, however, not to all novice fish lovers. So, if fry were only acquired at a pet store, then they must be quarantined. In this case, the recommended medications are used, which can remove activated charcoal without harm to the health of the fish.
But you should refrain from using it if you need to fertilize plants. Otherwise, all beneficial supplements will be quickly removed. Some aquarists claim that plant fertilizers are absorbed even before they disappear. However, one cannot say for sure that the filter will not hurt.
How often to change activated carbon
The carbon filter for water in the aquarium can last a different period of time. The duration of the black substance in the purification system depends on the degree of contamination of the water. So, the service life is significantly reduced if there are too many impurities. It is important to understand that the use of a filter in each individual case is individual.
If there are a lot of corals in the aquarium, then they produce biochemicals, which, in turn, have a negative effect on other plants. Algae also release biochemical substances into the water that can adversely affect corals. In this case, it is simply necessary to use a carbon filter for the internal aquarium. The product contributes to a significant and rapid reduction in the harmful effects of the components released into the water.
It is usually recommended to change activated carbon after 3-4 weeks of use, but the exact timing completely depends on the biological component of the water. If such a load is weak, then the device will work longer. Do not leave the used filter for a long time in the aquarium. During intense work, the pores become clogged and bacteria multiply in them. As a result, it not only does not contribute to the purification of water, but also is a source of infection.
Carbon Filter Disadvantages
Whether a carbon filter is needed for the aquarium is completely dependent on the operations being performed. It is known that a substance is not able to distinguish which compounds need to be removed and which ones to leave. If the aquarist uses mineral fertilizing for plants, the filter will interfere with their absorption and algae will receive less nutrition in full. The same goes for any other beneficial supplement. In addition, activated carbon creates dust, which sometimes causes erosion of the head and sides of the fish. Of course, there is no scientific data on this subject yet, but this should be borne in mind.
Phosphates from the black substance may also form if coal is used that has not been washed with acid. As a result, mass algal blooms are possible. To test coal for phosphates, there are special test kits that can be purchased at the pet store.
How to use a charcoal filter for an aquarium
Experienced aquarists, if necessary, use activated carbon to purify water, use a reactor. In addition to it, it is necessary to purchase a falling water pump and a bag for the substance itself.
Next, the coal is placed in an acquired bag and washed under reverse osmosis water. This is necessary in order to remove all dust from it. It is then placed in a reactor and water is included at a flow rate of approximately 1,300 liters per hour. Do not create too much water pressure. Otherwise, the contact time of the liquid with coal is reduced, which makes the use of the filter less effective.
Do I need a filter
Experienced aquarists know how to keep water at an optimal level. If a person is just starting to breed fish and for the first time decides to use a charcoal filter, then you should carefully monitor the state of the water.
If it turns yellow, exudes an unpleasant odor, then you can put the device on for two to three days and see how it will act.
But if corals of different nature are present in the aquarium, then it is necessary to use only an acid-washed substance and carefully monitor the results.
DIY carbon filter for aquarium
All fish lovers need to take care of:
- a suitable aquarium;
- vegetation;
- soil;
- decorative elements;
- filter.
It is important to remember that a water purifier is essential for the normal functioning of aquatic inhabitants. However, it is not always possible to purchase an optimal model in a pet store. Therefore, you can make a filter yourself.
Manufacturing principle
It is quite possible to make a carbon filter for the aquarium with your own hands at home. It is known that a good device is not cheap. For those who want to save money, we suggest considering a simple model for water purification. To do this, prepare a sponge, the size of which is selected depending on the volume of the aquarium, as well as:
- suction cup;
- spray;
- rubber tube;
- small compressor;
- two syringes (20 ml).
It is necessary to take a syringe, and in the part where the medicine is collected, make holes with a heated awl. Connect the first syringe by soldering to the second. To do this, the widest ends can be held on a hot plate and quickly connect them, holding tight for 5 seconds. The part into which the needle is inserted must be cut off. The result is a long tube.
It is necessary to make a deep but not wide incision in the sponge and insert a part of the syringe into it. Next, a rubber tube is inserted into the pipe and connected to the selected compressor. A suction cup is attached to the other side to hold the structure onto the aquarium wall.
Filter Installation Methods
So, a carbon filter for the aquarium was purchased or made independently. How to install the device? What rules should be followed?
First you need to remember that the filter is not installed in an empty container. The aquarium must be at least half full. In addition, all filter parts must be thoroughly dried before initial assembly.
The carbon device is attached to the walls of the aquarium with the help of suction cups, given the distance of about 3 cm from the bottom. Only immerse the filter in water when it is disconnected from the mains.
The device includes a tube, which is necessary for supplying air. They take her out. If the filter is purchased at a pet store, then it is worth considering options for convenient mounting. In such devices, the tube will not fall into the water and be in a fixed state. The carbon filter for the Tetra aquarium corresponds to these conditions. Further, if everything is done correctly, you can plug the device into a power outlet.
To make sure that the filter is working properly, pay attention to its operation. If it circulates and saturates the water with oxygen, then there should be no doubt.
Different types of filters
Charcoal filters for the aquarium, the photos of which are presented in this article, can be external and internal. It is sometimes difficult to decide which one is suitable in each particular case.
Beginning aquarists are primarily recommended to focus on the size of the fish tank. If the aquarium is large, then there is no fundamental difference. But often they install small houses for fish, or medium-sized. In this case, it is optimal to use an external filter. Unlike the internal one, it is installed outside the tank, which saves space for aquatic inhabitants.
Features of the operation of such a device are as follows:
- water enters the filter;
- cleansed;
- goes back to the fish.
Benefits of External Filters
An external device has many advantages. Among them, experienced aquarists distinguish the following:
- does not take up useful space inside the aquarium;
- makes capacity more aesthetic;
- better cleanse water from pollution.
Of course, it is necessary to choose a purification system not only by its capabilities, but also by its price. But the cost is often too high, so you can use the above diagram and make the product yourself. Everything you need is sold in pet stores, and the assembly itself is quite simple.
Filter Service
Maintenance of devices is reduced to their cleaning as they become dirty. Open and rinse used canisters of external filters only every six months. However, only ceramic parts and foam are exposed to the care process. In addition, only aquarium water must be used.
Homemade filters have some nuances. After starting the first time, they work like mechanical ones. The substrate used is quickly filled with dirt, which entails a decrease in productivity. Meanwhile, favorable soil is created for the reproduction of bacteria. They quickly accumulate and their excreted substances turn into nitrate. Thus, the filter is self-cleaning in a biological way. To prevent harmful substances from entering the water, it is necessary to clean it after 2-4 weeks.
Conclusion
Reliable filtration of aquarium water is an important factor for the normal functioning of fish. The coal device does its job well. However, it is necessary to take into account the volume of the aquarium and observe the ongoing processes. In addition to industrial devices, you can use homemade ones. In this case, everything you need should be purchased at specialized pet stores and also subject filters to cleaning. The methods are no different in both cases.