Carbon

Question
QUESTION: Hello there,

I have a question regarding my tetra whisper filtration systems for my two tanks. I was thinking of using lava rocks or glass media instead of the usual carbon because I was told that the carbon itself is unnecessary because it doesn't do any important work like remove ammonia or nitrates. what kinds of lava rocks work? and what kind of glass media?

ANSWER: Hi Anna:  Actually carbon does a great deal.  It kills bad bacteria and removes both ammonia and methane  from your water.  It would take roughly two feet of lava rock or glass material to do almost the same amount of work that the carbon in your filter does... in a ten gallon tank you would need to fill the entire tank and then some to clean your water...but that would kind of defeat the purpose of keeping fish other then fosil fish... anyways... I hope this helps... dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: If carbon is the best thing to have, what kind of carbon do I need to by for my filter? does it need to be acid leached or something? activated? Also, how does the carbon remove ammonia, bacteria and methane? I am curious about that process.

Answer
Hi Anna:  you would need to buy activated carbon... they sell it in bulk at all aquariums.   The carbon absorbs chemicals as the water passes through it... chemical reactions occur and bond certain chemicals which then form other more beneficial elements....dave