Question: Carbon Filters

[Nano]

I am about to purchase a new aquarium (a 200l one with a canister filter) and I was looking at aquarium starters like this and a couple of them have said about removing carbon filters from the filter to allow bacteria to become established, is this true?

I am a little confused about what carbon filters actually do and if I should use it. Is it something I only need to take out until my aquarium has cycled or is it not needed at all?

Finally if I do use a carbon filter, how often does it need replacing?

PS: The filter is in stages with sponge first then carbon and finally biological media.

 

[Boomsloth]

Carbon in a filter just binds to organics and isn't really necessary but it becomes an issue when setting up a cycle because the bacteria will grow on it and when the carbon gets replaced some of the bacteria is lost so you can cause a mini cycle. I use carbon when I'm either trying to remove meds or other stuff and have only kept it in for a week or two


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