seachem flourish

johnnyjiron

I do a 20% water change once a week. When i do a water change do I add flourish to the water im adding?

Also does the carbon in my filter, filters out the seachem fourish? I have a 55 gallon tank. I put in one capful once a week just like that instruction says...

Byron

I add the Flourish after tha tank is filled, but you can add it to the replacement water if you use a pail.

It is a difference of opinion but most planted tank authorities recommend dispensing with carbon or any similar chemical filter media. The plants do a better job of filtration with respect to cleaning the water, so the filter is really only necessary to create minimal water movement (depending upon the fish requirements in this regard) and remove suspended particulate matter via the pads. There is no point in interfering with that, as even minimally it is working at cross purposes to what you are aiming to achieve in a planted tank, providing good plant growth.

I assume the "Flourish" you're using is the Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium.

Byron.

johnnyjiron

im a liitle confuse..Do i leave the filters on then or what?

Byron

It doesn't matter. My point was, that many of us who have planted aquaria do not have carbon in the filters because we feel there is no need for it. It removes stuff from the water, that's why carbon is used in the first place, so it is a question of exactly what is being removed that perhaps should not be removed when there are plants. Thus, we don't use carbon. It is not a life or death issue.

Byron.

WisFish

Carbon's main use is to absorb toxins from the water. The problem for planted tanks is, carbon also absorbs the trace elements that the plants may need. So most people agree that carbon shouldn't be used in a planted tank.

Some HOB filters use pads that contain filter floss together with carbon. If you have one of those filters, you'll want to switch to a filter media that uses just the floss or similar material.

johnnyjiron

I have 2 bio-wheel penuins from marineland

What type of filtration should i get then?

WisFish

Someone that actually has that filter can probably comment better than I can. But I think something like this would work. Just use the floss and not the carbon. The clamshell would be reused.

Aquarium Filter Media: Drs. Foster & Smith Bio3 Penguin Filter Cartridges

Aquarium Mechanical Filtration Media: Blue Bonded Filter Pads