carbon filter alternatives

So I was reading someones elses question on the best way to use liquid fertilizers and i was reading the responses and found one that said if you have carbon filter cartridges it'll take out the iron and some other beneficial parts of liquid fertilizers. I always kinda thought that but never really looked into it. So since I use liquid fertz and carbon filter cartridges i was wondering was some alternatives to the carbon cartridges would be. I've heard sponges and all sorts of stuff like that but was wondering what your opinions were?

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Permalink Reply by Hmoobthor on September 7, 2011 at 8:23pm

techically carbon remove some of the nutrients that is use for plants and hence not alot fo people disfavor carbor in a dirt or planted thank...they don't use it.

I personally stop using anything with carbon since I went with dirt and out of dirt. Carbon has it effect when removing meds.

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Permalink Reply by TONY K on June 6, 2012 at 9:27pm

I read somewhere that activated carbon that is in filter cartriges and such will actually strip the naturally occuring carbon in the planted tank beneficial to plants? I use sponges or soap free scoring pads pollyester batting used for stuffing pillows n such found in the craft dept. at walmart really cheep works goood too!

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Permalink Reply by J B on June 12, 2012 at 9:19pm

to just add a little more to what jack o'leary said,, if you have your usuall h.o.b. filters then you can stuff some kind of sponge or sponge like filter in there in conjuction with the biological pad that builds and holds the beneficial bacteria,, however in my opion the best way to skirt around using the carbon filter pad is to get the aquaclear filer, then all you have to do is leave the carbon out and purchase an extra bag of the biological media to take its place