I’ve read in some websites that it is not recommended to use with discus. Is this true? If so, why?
The reason many places do not recommend activated carbon in Discus tanks is that it is thought (note, I said "thought", meaning there is no proof to suggest this) that the carbon can somehow cause hole in the head. Again, this has not been proven, or even tested to provide any evidence supporting this idea. I have used carbon with Discus with no ill affects. Also, carbon doesn’t remove phosphate, ammonia, nitrite, or nitrite– it removes "organic pollutants, some of which discolor the water with a yellowish tint, organic acids, proteins, hormones, antibiotic compounds, and organic compounds as well as a variety of chemicals, medications, metals, and minerals."*
that sounds like th opposite of what you should do…
carbon removes alot of soluable material that mechanical filters miss.. they can remove phosphate, ammonia, nitrate, and can soften the water… all of which is definately a good thing for discus
Also, carbon doesn’t remove phosphate, ammonia, nitrite, or nitrite– it removes "organic pollutants, some of which discolor the water with a yellowish tint, organic acids, proteins, hormones, antibiotic compounds, and organic compounds as well as a variety of chemicals, medications, metals, and minerals." it does not?
well then i stand corrected.. but i have run activated carbon filter pads on all of my tanks, even the cichlid tank.. and only had one outbreak of HITH.. it was my oscar who had been feeding on live goldfish for the past 8 or so months.. after we stopped feeding him such.. it promptly started healing..
again there isn’t much evidence that THIS is the cause of HITH…
References :
He’s right, but I also think what the websites might be referring to is that in aquaria that have tannic acids added, the carbon will remove that as well, leaving clean, clear, bright water, instead of that brownish water wild-caught discus prefer.
They might also be referring to the fine carbon like Eheim uses, which must be thoroughly rinsed (with distilled water) before using. If you can, use distilled water when adding water or doing partial water changes.
References :
The reason many places do not recommend activated carbon in Discus tanks is that it is thought (note, I said "thought", meaning there is no proof to suggest this) that the carbon can somehow cause hole in the head. Again, this has not been proven, or even tested to provide any evidence supporting this idea. I have used carbon with Discus with no ill affects. Also, carbon doesn’t remove phosphate, ammonia, nitrite, or nitrite– it removes "organic pollutants, some of which discolor the water with a yellowish tint, organic acids, proteins, hormones, antibiotic compounds, and organic compounds as well as a variety of chemicals, medications, metals, and minerals."*
References :
*http://www.algone.com/activated_carbon.php