How can you run a reef tank without using carbon ?

[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?