LR in Biocube Rear Chamber = Nitrates?

[Bongo Shrimp]

So someone told me that running LR rubble in the rear chamber of my biocube causes nitrates. Is this really true?

[buckster]

It may not cause nitrates directly but IMO it will trap tons of detritus and food that can increase not only nitrate but phosphate as well.

[Bongo Shrimp]

Yeah I do have some phosphates too. I was just wondering the difference between having LR in the tank vs LR in the filter. I mean the only other good option is a media basket. Will that be much better?

[TjwBlake]

the difference is that in the DT you have a cleanup crew, waterflow, and space to handle the buildup. In the filter area you lose a lot of that ability to remove the detrius.
The basket would help bigtime as it makes it easy to pull everything out and give it a rise and cleaning. IM in the process of a DIY basked out of eggcrate for my BC8