Using charcoal- yes or no?

aunt kymmie

I know when you have to medicate a tank you are suppose to remove the carbon from your filter. I have a built in wet/dry, plus a Magnum H.O.T.
When purchased the seller said I could run it with or w/o charcoal. Does this mean I do run it with charcoal?
I also was told wet/dry is all I need as far as biological filtration, does charcoal have anything to do with this?
Any input? Thanks! kym

Tyyrlym

I'm pretty sure when he said charcoal he meant activated carbon. Activated carbon does no biological filtration, only chemical.

aunt kymmie

Sorry...I meant to say activated carbon!
So...I do use this, only to remove it for replacement of new carbon and when medicating?? If you are to replace it periodically, how often??

Tyyrlym

There seems to be a lot of question as to whether or not its really necessary. I'd play it safe and just use it. Change it out ever three to four weeks seems to be standard or go by the packaging instructions.