How can you run a reef tank without using carbon ?

[The Grizz]

I didn't run carbon on my 165 for almost the first yr. and never had it smell but I also have a high water flow & have been running pellets for some time now.

[jagermaier]

Make sure your protein skimmer is working properly, adding a refufium will also absorb the extra nutrients from over-feeding and waste that might be contributing to the smell.

[sphelps]

No carbon in my tank so far, my previous tanks also rarely used it. Never had a smell issue...

[reefwars]

none in mine this tank but ive had others with it.....no smell either way , nor should there be;p


my first suspect would be said skimmer too

[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.