Media question

[truck0000]

I need some advice on filter media. My new 75 gal. tank 20 gal. sump, is a month old. 4 inch sand bed and 100lbs. of live rock. I added fish on the 15 th, which was the one month mark. I have a Bicolor angel and a lawn mower Blenny in it. All parameter were at 0 except nitrate which was 5ppm. I am treating the tank with Seachem Stability. I have small diatom (going away) problem. Hair algea is is a issue but im going to get a lettuce nudibranch (sp?) for that.

I would like to run some crabon and phosphate remover and was wondering what kind and how big of a bag should I use? How often I should use the carbon or let it stay in my sump. I have read different things. I need a filter pad for my sump (I have a sponge in there right now) and was thinking of using a polyfilter but am not sure if it is only for medication removal. Any help about media and element removal would be appreciated.

How does a Hagen test kit compare to Salifert?

[GaryP]

You can run both carbon and phosphate remover. I would suggest using small amounts changed frequently over larger amounts changed less frequently. I run about 2 cups of carbon and 1 cup of phoshguard that I change weekly. I don't feel the polyfilter is any more effective then granular products. The main difference seems to be cost. As or physical filtration, I would suggest either a filter sock or a filter floss. In either case it needs to be changed at least weekly so that the material caught in it doesn't break down and add to your bio load.

Your nitrates are probably due to the fact your sand bed hasn't matured yet. Just give it some time. What particle size do you have in the sand bed? 4 inches of sugar fine is deep enough to get a good anoxic layer going. The larger the particle size, the deeper the sand bed needs to be. I prefer using a layer of special grade on top of a layer of sugar fine.