Activated carbon in a planted tank?

[Reafer]

Hi guys i am new to planted tanks and have been reading that you should not use carbon in your filters in a planted tank. it says that it takes all the things out the water that the plants need , is this true? i have the carbon in the filter for the tannin from my wood in the tank. i noticed they werent doing to well and have now added ferts. is the carbon taking the ferts out the water?

[Zafgak]

Hi Reafer _ Carbon will remove medicines ferts tannin etc. IMHO it should only be used to remove meds and maybe to pre-condition water for certain VERY finicky fish.
I would remove the carbon - take out a second bond and get some SeaChem Purigen from Panorama. Works amazingly for tannin.

[Reafer]

thx will try oder some i am in PE and our LF's dont stock it

:eek:dam that stuff is expencive

[Zafgak]

Yes Expensive - but remember it can be re-generated with bleach, buy once regenerate for 5 years :)

[Henk Hugo]

i need purigen for 3000L thats like R650 - aitog :P