AIO Tanks and filter sponges

[QuiGonJay]

I have an aio tank. In the media baskets I removed the ceramic rings and added purigen and chemipure elite. I still have the black sponges. Should I remove them? I struggle to keep nitrates below 20 with about 55 lbs of live rock in a 45 lb tank with skimmer. Could the sponges contribute to this? I clean them one every two weeks.

Thanks!

 

[thegrun]

If you are going to keep the sponges they need to be cleaned every 3-4 days, if you go longer they will add to your nitrates.