I haven't been using any activated carbon, for a while now, mainly due to being too lazy to order some online for my cannister, partly due to having read (on another site) "that it takes out nutrients that the plants need". I am skeptical of that statement, since I had it in the filter originally and the plants grew just fine.

What exactly is the role of activated carbon in a planted tank? Is it a benefit or a hindrance?

It does remove trace elements out of the water but if your has been in there for awhile, it has most likely reached its capacity of absorbtion. I know some people put a little bit under their substrate when setting up a new tank to help with ammonia ect...

Which traces?

You may want to check these links for information on activated carbon.

Hope this will help.

Regards.

Vladimir.

Just by glancing at those links I think they will be helpful, thanks. I don’t have time to read them this second, but I will get to them.