Originally Posted by
14Discus
As your tank will age, I’d suggest one includes the means for NO3 removal.....nitrates. Yes, the biological and mechanical is fine, but include the means for nitrate reduction by ways of a refugium, pathos root plant chamber, or even a resin bed. While your NO2 and NH3 levels will be kept in check w mech. / bio material, one needs to include NH3 reduction, or those levels will rise too high. Not everyone can do a daily WC, so by including this, one is better covered. My 75 g tank has two bio wheel filters, a FX canister, and a sump. The sump has a sock surrounded by bioballs, a couple of mech pads,a large pathos root chamber, and a resin bed chamber. My nitrates are always between 5-10 as a result. My WC schedule is around every 7-10 days.....occasionally a few more. One of the biggest reasons for WCs is for nitrate reduction. WCs coupled w a solid NO3 filtering system is ideal as I see it. Others may disagree, but this has worked years for me wo issues.