A crucial component of any aquarium is the aquarium filter, which helps maintain healthy and clean water for fish, providing them with a suitable living environment. Many aquarium filters come equipped with activated carbon filter cartridges, but do you know their functions and benefits for your aquarium?

Activated carbon finds wide applications in aquariums or ponds, addressing various water-related issues.

Eliminating Odors

Activated carbon can remove unpleasant odors or fishy smells from water. Its porous surface captures liquids and gases, incorporating them into the carbon structure.

Purifying Water Quality

Activated carbon can absorb tannic acids and adsorb color in water, such as turbidity, and brown, and yellow discoloration.

Removing Toxins

When coral reefs and fish coexist, there is a higher likelihood of increased toxins in the water. While some toxins pose a low risk to aquatic life, others (such as red tides and algae) release potentially deadly algal toxins.

Activated carbon effectively eliminates toxins. Moreover, if impurities like smoke, aerosols, or any other pollutants enter the tank, activated carbon can eliminate them.

Clearing Medications

In aquariums and ponds, certain medications are sometimes added to treat sick fish. These medications can persist in the water and impact the health of the fish. Activated carbon can adsorb these medications.

Suppressing Algae Growth

Activated carbon can absorb excess nutrients in the water, minimizing the growth of algae and reducing the occurrence of protozoa.

Removing Organic Pollutants

Activated carbon is also commonly used in aquarium and pond filters to reduce the organic content in the water. The range of organic compounds it can remove varies from weakly adsorbed (e.g., acetone, dichloromethane) to strongly adsorbed (trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, naphthalene, phenol, etc.).