Im on week 4 now of dosing TM Elimi NP due to high nitrates issue and hair algae issues. I figure by now it would have started to make sort of effect on my tank . Unfortunately it has not lowered a bit ,nitrate still staying around 25ppm (Red Sea Test). After digging threw the forums a bit I seem to see everyone running a skimmer to get full benefits, Having Tunze 9004 I never really figured from day one how to tune it properly , given my nitrate being on the higher end Id imagine my water having to be dark rather than regular clear watery. To sum would not having a properly working skimmer these past month could be the reason behind my high nitrate and carbon dosing not being as effective? Also any skimmer recommendation for a easier to use skimmer for a 50 gallon all in one?
Carbon Dosing + Skimming Question
- Thread starter lx_Reef
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Biglew11
Valuable Member
What are your phosphates? Bacteria need nitrates, some phosphates, and a carbon source. For carbon dosing to work. Aim for about .05-.1ppm phosphates. If they are 0 then carbon dosing isn't going to work.
The bacteria will bring the nitrates down without the skimmer. The skimmer just removes the bacteria from the water.
You don't want to bring either one to 0. Aim for about 5-10 ppm nitrates and .03-.1 ppm phosphates for final numbers.
In my tank I had to dose phosphates for a week and a half to get regular phosphate readings. Then I was able to carbon dose to bring nitrates down, while still dosing phosphates to keep them above 0.
The bacteria will bring the nitrates down without the skimmer. The skimmer just removes the bacteria from the water.
You don't want to bring either one to 0. Aim for about 5-10 ppm nitrates and .03-.1 ppm phosphates for final numbers.
In my tank I had to dose phosphates for a week and a half to get regular phosphate readings. Then I was able to carbon dose to bring nitrates down, while still dosing phosphates to keep them above 0.
lx_Reef
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My main goal is to bring nitrates down to 10ppm and phosphates sit right at 0.16 optimally I know carbon does a whole more for nitrate then phosphates , so in theory you dont need a skimmer correct or does it just help the process
Biglew11
Valuable Member
It doesn't do anything to bring them down via carbon dosing but does get the bacteria out of the water so if when the die they don't deplet oxygen or turn back to nitrates. A skimmer does help in getting dissolved organics out of the water. Your nutrients look pretty good. You may try to slowly increase your carbon dose.
Uncle99
10K Club member
Bacteria feeds on N and P, skimmer removes “some” bacteria which contains the N and P, thus reduces N and P levels.
It took 4 months for me to go from 50ppm to 5ppm, via Nopox + marine pure blocks.
It took 4 months for me to go from 50ppm to 5ppm, via Nopox + marine pure blocks.
