Nopox as a maintenance add?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 13, 2017

ahiggins said:
Hey y'all!
Just wondering if anyone has used nopox as a maintenance addition say 1/3 dosage to lower nitrates?
I don't have any algae issues but I'm seeing nitrates around the 25 mark when I want to keep around 5ish. So I'm wondering if instead of using a full treatment dose to get down to <1, I can add a portion of a full dose once a week or every other week to achieve a certain reduction.
Thoughts?

It is fine to use organic carbon dosing (such as NOPOX or other brands or DIY) at any dose that seems useful in your tank.

I used vinegar for years, not because I had a nitrate problem, but because I wanted it to drive bacterial growth to feed filter feeders, and to act as one of several means of nutrient export.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 13, 2017

ahiggins said:
Gotcha.
should I need to do any extra water changes? I'll keep my skimmer running.

There's no clear need for special water changes when organic carbon dosing.

ahiggins · Mar 13, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
It is fine to use organic carbon dosing (such as NOPOX or other brands or DIY) at any dose that seems useful in your tank.

I used vinegar for years, not because I had a nitrate problem, but because I wanted it to drive bacterial growth to feed filter feeders, and to act as one of several means of nutrient export.

Thank you! I've been researching vinegar vs nopox, the way I'm feeding the skimmer just isn't catching up. im down to 15 ppm nitrate but still not where I want it to be. I'm just never heard of/looked into people using vinegar or nopox as a maintenance add. It's always just been a means to an end for algae growth.

ahiggins · Mar 13, 2017

What's the difference between running carbon (solid form) and dosing carbon (liquid form)?
I figure the liquid will be able to attach to the baddies and be skimmed out. Is there any benefit to running granular carbon other than "sparkling" water?

Donovan Joannes · Mar 13, 2017

Don't be confused with granular activated carbon and carbon source dosing. They are not the same and does things differently in our tank.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 13, 2017

ahiggins said:
What's the difference between running carbon (solid form) and dosing carbon (liquid form)?
I figure the liquid will be able to attach to the baddies and be skimmed out. Is there any benefit to running granular carbon other than "sparkling" water?

GAC (the black material ) does not supply organic carbon that can be consumed by bacteria. It is simply a high surface area material to which organics and bacteria may attach and thereby be removed from the system.

ahiggins · Mar 13, 2017

Donovan Joannes said:
Don't be confused with granular activated carbon and carbon source dosing. They are not the same and does things differently in our tank.

I know gac is for water clarity and dosing carbon binds to things to make nutrient export more efficient. But why the difference is what I want to know.

ahiggins · Mar 13, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
GAC (the black material ) does not supply organic carbon that can be consumed by bacteria. It is simply a high surface area material to which organics and bacteria may attach and thereby be removed from the system.

Ah, that's what I was wondering about. Thanks!!
I think my questions are all answered lol

jsker · Mar 13, 2017

ahiggins said:
What's the difference between running carbon (solid form) and dosing carbon (liquid form)?
I figure the liquid will be able to attach to the baddies and be skimmed out. Is there any benefit to running granular carbon other than "sparkling" water?

That it a great question, and best answered by @Randy Holmes-Farley

Bob Escher · Mar 14, 2017

Been trying to use cheato but it isn't working for me it just disintegrating and falling about. So I'm going to switch to maybe a mil a day to see if that helps.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 14, 2017

Bob Escher said:
Been trying to use cheato but it isn't working for me it just disintegrating and falling about. So I'm going to switch to maybe a mil a day to see if that helps.

That can happen with inadequate nutrients or trace elements the algae needs, or perhaps from inadequate light or chaeto that wasn't alive after transport.

mucky1957 · Mar 14, 2017

this is my tank. heavy load of coral and fish. The tank is a 240lt and I use 4ml of nopox daily. My nitrate stays between 2 - 5. Got to have a skimmer if you intend to use nopox tho.

mucky1957 · Mar 14, 2017

better video of the tank..sorry

ahiggins · Mar 14, 2017

mucky1957 said:
this is my tank. heavy load of coral and fish. The tank is a 240lt and I use 4ml of nopox daily. My nitrate stays between 2 - 5. Got to have a skimmer if you intend to use nopox tho.

That's great thank you!