Nitrates from Carbon media?

[Desert Aquarium]

Ok, so my FOWLR was an easy 200 when I first tested after not testing for a year or 3.

Started working on it. Added Kent Nitrate spong, removed bio-media from Fluval 404.

Did some 10% changes.

Still above 100.

Did a 40% change.

Still 100 or more. (Test only goes to 100).

Did a 40%, waited 24 hours, did another 40%.

Now they look somewhere between 50 and 100ppm.

Does this sound feasable?

Could the carbon in the Fluval act like a Nitrate factory if left in too long?

 

[zimmy1979]

Yes.

 

[Blown 346]

Anything that collect detritus, uneaten food, waste will cause a nitrate problem.

 

[TekCat]

Yeppers. Carbon media when get full start leaking whatever it sucked up over time. And collected detrius will be decomposing there too. On average clean filter and replace carbon every two weeks. But it all really depends on your bioload.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

Okie dokie, Fluval emptied of EVERY THING.

Now it's just a pump

 

[Desert Aquarium]

Hmmm.

Been debating adding a sump. Finally decided to do it, wanna add some more LR, and some cheato. Only problem, I can get a 10G tank for $10 at walmart, or a a larger one at the LFS but for not less than $50.

I heard of one sitting empty in a family members garage, but their daughter doesn't wanna part with it yet.