Both - if you dose in the display - some DOC will be used by heterotrophic bacteria in the main tank creating more bacteria growth, a growth that I can´t control and do not want. If I target dose - I do not need to use as much DOC as if I dose in the media. Every type of DOC have in a way different bacteria groups as main users - I prefer that the DOC released in my DT will be that type that some algae and corals release. My goal with DOC dose is only to favour denitrification not all of the other "benefits" that some companies claims. For the moment - I have probably done a miss calculation and dose to much DOC in the DSB - resulting in slimy bacteria growth. I also read very low NO3.
I think I get it. Starving those low flow areas of carbon reduces the chance for anaerobic zones and perhaps that also minimizes chance of hydrogen sulfide otherwise why worry about anaerobic zones in the display? You have a much more developed background on bacteria and waste management than self, obviously therefore excuse the ignorance.
I'm not but rather avoid it to reduce equipment needed and maintenance. Of sufficient quantity to make a difference requires space, lighting and plumbing plus occasional pruning along with adding trace it consumes. If I can solve my needs by dosing then that's just a simpler execution.
I’m with you, and partially why I didn’t want to go that route. Plus I worry about DOC’s. My acros just never seemed to be as healthy with a refugium running, than without.
Was it possibly the algae pulling elements such as iron? Could be also pulling needed nutrients for the corals. Gets to be a rather complicated balancing act. Honest. Might just keep discus :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:
He has around 15 mg/L NO3 as a water in the water - its 3.38 mg/L NO3 - N and its equal to 3,38 mg/L NH4-N which is equal to 18/14*3.38 -> 4.3 mg NH4 - indeed it is not an N limited system. More corals (more N consumption/day) and/or lesser feeding (lesser N input/day) is a possible path. However - if the current skimmer not is undersized - a more effective skimmer will probably not be a solution Its very little N exporting that way - its protein - N and NH3-N that will be exported by the skimmer.
Thanks for the input Lasse. The reason I included a skimmer is because those Eshopps skimmers have been said to be less effective than others of the same rating. I have no experience with them though. Just a thought.
Well, in case there was a misunderstanding, I don’t really feed a lot. I feed a half sheet of nori in the morning for tangs. A pinch of seachem flakes for the wrasse. In the evening I broadcast feed my protein loaded home made mix of blood worms, mysis, plankton, rotifers. The fish do well with picking up every bit of it within 3-4 minutes. I run the skimmer pretty wet and I’ve been using the same skimmer for 6 years. My nitrate is currently 13-17. That’s really not too bad for as long as the system has been running. I am just trying to slow down weekly water changes but need a way to export nutrients. PO4 is easy enough to maintain via reef roids when it’s low and lanthanum chloride when it’s high. NO3 is not as easily managed.
How high do nitrates get if you extend water changes to two weeks or four weeks? Might be you're already there and just need to provide the corals some extra time to reduce nutrients on their own.
I've been keeping them for years.wilds & Asians.none of those silly German ones.
Curious why the Discus community continues to mimic Malaysian water change practices considering the advancements in filtration such as carbon dosing. No way I'm doing that :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:
