Carbon dosing question

[donniea1800]

I need a little advice on carbon dosing on my 50 gallon tank. My levels are not bad but I am currently running at about 5ppm nitrate and 0.4ppm phosphate. I do weekly water changes, run a skimmer, and run GFO in a reactor which has helped with my phos alot. I am thinking about going with the Red Sea product as I dont want to deal with the uncertainty of vodka or vinegar.

My question is that I do not have a sump so my skimmer is a HOB. It is a Reef Octopus BH1000 which is rated a 100 gallons and perfroms quite well at pulling about skimmate. Do you think this would be an adequate skimmer for carbon dosing? Its about the best HOB I could find.

Also I keep mainly LPS, some softies, a clam, and 2 nems. Anyone had issues with dosing kepping any of these? Should I try to keep some trates in the water for the softies and the clam? How much should I shoot for?

 

[bond300]

Check out my tank setup with nosump!! Are you using RO/DI water?

Sent from my GT-N8013 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[donniea1800]

Yes I have my own RODI. I check my water often with a tds meter. I am stocked on the heavy side so I think that is why nitrates hover around 5. I think carbon dosing can get me the rest of the way.

 

[Gregcoyote]

I prefer vinegar dosing. That type of carbon (acetate) doesn't seem to cause cyano problems as much as vodka can.