My 75 Gallon Tank

[timschmidt]

Well here is my take on it. Your tank is cycling. Things are growing and dieing and if you stifle this then I believe it may take longer to establish your bacteria. I run carbon, but I did not start until my cycle was complete. As a matter of fact the only thing I ran were power heads. No lights, skimmers, or media. But if the smell is that bad, use carbon. You will have to keep up on keeping clean carbon though. Weekly or so changes does it for me.

 

[adham88]

When you say my tank is still cycling, do you mean it's literally still cycling or do you mean "maturing"? The live rock I have was in another tank for more than a year and my tank never went through a real cycle.

 

[timschmidt]

Well, the rock is fully cycled, but the level of bacteria would change. So I guess "maturing" is more appropriate. Honestly someone explained it to me this way:

The tank is always cycling.

We call our cycle the first part where the die off and consumption levels out and the initial bacteria are in place. But die off always happens and new growth replaces that. It's just no real detectable ammonia will be present. It made sense to me.

 

[adham88]

How do you place your carbon in the sump? Is it in a bag or in one of those filter baskets? Wouldn't that become a nitrate trap overtime? What are your nitrates like?

 

[timschmidt]

I run my carbon in a phosban reactor. I have two reactors, the other actually has PhosBan in it. My nitrates are at about 2 right now. But I have been overfeeding...

 

[adham88]

well I don't have one of those phosban reactor things so is there a way I can place a filter basket with carbon without trapping nitrates?

 

[timschmidt]

Sure, just keep it clean. Or just use a media bag The big difference is that with a reactor the carbon is being actively used, while in a bag is passive. Better results from active, but it's just a choice. A lot of people don't use carbon at all. I got my reactors on marinedepot for about 30-40 bucks each. No tubing or pump though.

 

[adham88]

I thought that media bags would trap nitrates too.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12935797#post12935797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adham88
I thought that media bags would trap nitrates too.

they probably would but you don't want that because the media bag has no way of removing the nitrates from the water column and eventually they get dumped back into your system

That is an excellent combination to look into--carbon and phosban in the two little fishes reactors.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12935627#post12935627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by timschmidt
I run my carbon in a phosban reactor. I have two reactors, the other actually has PhosBan in it. My nitrates are at about 2 right now. But I have been overfeeding...

Tim, have you used that sump yet? Far to clean to have been used---that is the cleanest sump I have seen on RC:smokin:

 

[newreefbishop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12936304#post12936304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
Tim, have you used that sump yet? Far to clean to have been used---that is the cleanest sump I have seen on RC:smokin:

CAPN, I agree....lol that is one clean sump....i actually have two phosban reactors too, I daisy chained them together and Im running nitrate remover in both, really as a test. I have a sulfer reactor that I de-commisioned. I will be removing the nitrate removing media within the next day or so, I have a small shipment coming from Marine Depot, with a gallon of carbon and some ROWAPHOS, which will be daisy chained, water coming out of it should be super pure.....

You should try to get your hands on one of those reactors as they are cheap and easy to maintain, the bags are good but they are a pain to clean

 

[timschmidt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12936304#post12936304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
Tim, have you used that sump yet? Far to clean to have been used---that is the cleanest sump I have seen on RC:smokin:

LOL that is sump #4. That photo was taken JUST after I set it up. As a matter of fact I still haven't put the removable DSB I planed on putting in the right hand side.

 

[timschmidt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12936448#post12936448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newreefbishop
You should try to get your hands on one of those reactors as they are cheap and easy to maintain, the bags are good but they are a pain to clean

How do you keep them maintained? I normally have a small issue with bubbles in the sponges. You got a trick to keep them out?

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12935657#post12935657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adham88
well I don't have one of those phosban reactor things so is there a way I can place a filter basket with carbon without trapping nitrates?

FYI... They're on sale at marine depot right now for $31.99

 

[adham88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12936290#post12936290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
they probably would but you don't want that because the media bag has no way of removing the nitrates from the water column and eventually they get dumped back into your system

That is an excellent combination to look into--carbon and phosban in the two little fishes reactors.

Let me see if I get this,
So there is no way of adding carbon without causing a nitrate trap? The only option is to buy a phosban reactor?
So if I used a filter basket like I am now and cleaned it weekly, it would still trap nitrates?

 

[Tswifty]

I wouldn't be worried about it becoming a nitrate trap, as I've been told carbon should be changed weekly anyway.

As Tim said earlier, the issue is how the carbon is utilized. With the phosban reactors, the water is actively being forced through the media via the pump and reactor layout.

On the other hand, the bag just lies in the sump. water will take the path of least resistance, it isn't just going to decide to move through the bag. So in reality minimal water will actually pass through the carbon media.

IMO, the phosban reactors are well worth it, and consider them basically an essential on any tank.

 

[adham88]

I understand what you are saying now. Thanks for clearing that up.
Now with the reactors you linked me earlier, what kind of pump and other accessories do I need and where can I get them from?
Thanks again.

 

[Mark0818]

nice tank!

 

[adham88]

Thanks for everyone's help and thanks for all the compliments

 

[adham88]

Here are some new pictures