How can you run a reef tank without using carbon ?

[Casey8]

It looks like nobody is having this problem, only me and why me again

[reefwars]

maybe its your source water are you using rodi??



in my experienece even with low flow, even when the tanks half drained the smell of the tank should be fresh and ocean like.if theres a smell you dont like i bet its coming from the overflow or sump. maybe stagnant water in the overflow box??

[Casey8]

reefwars, I am using r/o water. I will check my sump tomorrow, you maybe right the smell may come from there. I didn't clean my sump for awhile now. But it never happened like that before when I used carbon. Why did jagermaier and you mention about a skimmer, is it something to do with the skimmer too ? But I clean the cup everyday, because it skims too much of goo even I have dialed it to a dry skim, but still, I am afraid of getting overflow when I'm not home.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Casey8

reefwars, I am using r/o water. I will check my sump tomorrow, you maybe right the smell may come from there. I didn't clean my sump for awhile now. But it never happened like that before when I used carbon. Why did jagermaier and you mention about a skimmer, is it something to do with the skimmer too ? But I clean the cup everyday, because it skims too much of goo even I have dialed it to a dry skim, but still, I am afraid of getting overflow when I'm not home.

i mention the skimmer because if the lid isnt closing right it gives off a bad smell and if its skimming properly it removes alot of nastys that smell. your skimmer cup filling everyday is IMO too much i would look into that, if you wanted to go on vacation or even out for a few days it would be a pita lol there must be a mod you can do to skim less. i also think having a refuge helps plants absorb alot of bad stuff that would smell bad.

i dont clean my sump too often i may scrape the glass in the refuge here and there to view how stuffs growing down low but the dirtier i can get
my fuge the better.


my other sections get basted regularily.


i woulld also take a smell in your overflow box for sake of elimanation after your return pumps are shut off and see if anything smells from there.

[sphelps]

If algae is exposed it tends to smell, has your water level dropped in your tank at all for some reason?