Running GFO and Carbon during cycle stage?
- Thread starter JSpen
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PatW
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It can make sense.
If your rock is leaching phosphates then GFO can be a possible solution.
And if your rock has organic son it that tint your water which would give a weak tea tint to tank water in a white bucket. Then activated charcoal will absorb it.
You may be referring to carbon dosing and that would work if you have a skimmer and you have elevated nitrate levels. Of course,, during cycling, you usually will end up with elevated nitrate levels.
Of course, you could just do some very large water changes to attack the problem. It is solution by dilution.
But, if you have a large volume system, GFO and carbon dosing could make a lot of sense.
If your rock is leaching phosphates then GFO can be a possible solution.
And if your rock has organic son it that tint your water which would give a weak tea tint to tank water in a white bucket. Then activated charcoal will absorb it.
You may be referring to carbon dosing and that would work if you have a skimmer and you have elevated nitrate levels. Of course,, during cycling, you usually will end up with elevated nitrate levels.
Of course, you could just do some very large water changes to attack the problem. It is solution by dilution.
But, if you have a large volume system, GFO and carbon dosing could make a lot of sense.
mcarroll
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Don't do it.....else: see you on the dino threads. That beginning describes the lions share of people on the main dino thread, so you may get lucky but the risk is real. Stay away from GFO and carbon dosing until the tank is mature.....use other methods. Especially manual husbandry and taking your time...two things that work on every problem. 
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Run carbon, but not GFO it can screw things up quickly. Just make sure your rock is completely scrubbed and sanitized before you put it in your tank and you should be fine.
mcarroll
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Hm.....carbon ≠ carbon. 
There's activated carbon....also known as "GAC" or granulated activated carbon....a little won't hurt, but anywhere from hardly any to none should be required on a new tank.
Then there's organic carbon....also referred to as carbon dosing, or carbon-source dosing....like vodka, vinegar, and the several commercial products out there. This is the "carbon" to avoid on a new tank.
There's activated carbon....also known as "GAC" or granulated activated carbon....a little won't hurt, but anywhere from hardly any to none should be required on a new tank.
Then there's organic carbon....also referred to as carbon dosing, or carbon-source dosing....like vodka, vinegar, and the several commercial products out there. This is the "carbon" to avoid on a new tank.
