Running carbon -- Possible Nitrates issues?

N

nobody

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For those of you that run carbon 24/7, do you have issues with Nitrates? If not, how do you keep Nitrate at 0?

I started running carbon 24/7 1 month ago and now my Nitrates read 20ppm! The tank always enjoys 0 Nitrate until now. I don't have a clue how often I need to change out carbon, so the original batch is still in the filter.

Thanks,
 
I may be mistaken but I've always believed that carbon does not remove nitrates, just organics in the water column.

I believe in water changes, heavy skimming, disciplined feeding and a modest bio-load to keep nitrates down.
 
@TCU Reefer wrote:
I may be mistaken but I've always believed that carbon does not remove nitrates said:
I should have been more specific. I'm worried that the way I run carbon makes my carbon filter into nitrate factory (like bio-balls).

I don't feed a lot and my tank has always enjoyed 0 nitrates until now. Nothing else has changed, except for running carbon 24/7. I've turned off the filter for now. Re-test in a few days and take it from there.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
 
The carbon could be trapping organic matter which is probably the reason for your increased nitrates. Try changing out the carbon every 2- 2.5 weeks and see if what that does for your readings.

Cheers!
 
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