LobsterOfJustice
Valuable Member
I am starting liquid carbon dosing (NO3PO4X) and was wondering if the suggested dosing volume should be based on total system volume or display volume. I'm leaning toward system volume but I can see arguments for either.
On one hand, I think system volume should be used because you are trying to achieve a certain concentration of available carbon in the water, so you need to dose the entire volume. On the other hand, you are providing this carbon as a food source for bacteria, and someone with a 300g system with 80% of that being the main display would have a lot more surface area to house bacteria (and more bioload) than someone with a 300g system but only 50% of that being the display, with the rest being sumps, frag tanks, other equipment, etc (my situation).
In the end it probably doesn't matter since every situation is different and the dose will be tweaked to the individual needs of the tank, but I just wanted to get some input on the starting point to make sure I don't overdose/underdose right from the start.
On one hand, I think system volume should be used because you are trying to achieve a certain concentration of available carbon in the water, so you need to dose the entire volume. On the other hand, you are providing this carbon as a food source for bacteria, and someone with a 300g system with 80% of that being the main display would have a lot more surface area to house bacteria (and more bioload) than someone with a 300g system but only 50% of that being the display, with the rest being sumps, frag tanks, other equipment, etc (my situation).
In the end it probably doesn't matter since every situation is different and the dose will be tweaked to the individual needs of the tank, but I just wanted to get some input on the starting point to make sure I don't overdose/underdose right from the start.
