low nutrition on fish only setup?

[johnj]

is it worth having low nutrition tank for fish only or just do water changes? im waiting for a phosphate reactor to arrive as was going to use rowa phos and dose red sea nopox to keep nitrates and phosphate in check" and maybe save me doing a big water change every week because cost of salt

you think this will work

 

[P-Dub]

The low nutrients are not necessarily necessary for a Fish only setup. Depending on what your nutrient levels are before a water change would determine the necessity of adding the extra nutrient removal methods you are considering. If they are currently "in check", you might get away with just extending the duration between water changes. So long as your nitrates are below 60 I would try bi-monthly or monthly water changes. Alternatively, having a low nutrient system opens the door to corals...

 

[johnj]

The low nutrients are not necessarily necessary for a Fish only setup. Depending on what your nutrient levels are before a water change would determine the necessity of adding the extra nutrient removal methods you are considering. If they are currently "in check", you might get away with just extending the duration between water changes. So long as your nitrates are below 60 I would try bi-monthly or monthly water changes. Alternatively, having a low nutrient system opens the door to corals...

thanks p-dub and sounds good" my local shop told me to start with a bio-pellet reactor " a reef-octopus at £350 but don't wont to spend that much if don't need to" Don't nopox dosing do the same thing? and don't wont to start with tank to clean as think it may start off dinos

 

[P-Dub]

NO3PO4-X will, in fact, lower nitrates and phosphates in the marine system. Adding RowaPhos to the system might be overkill and it is best implemented in a reactor. A skimmer is always a good idea as it is a means of mechanical way of reducing all sorts of organics without additives. It is a one time cost that will pay out in the long run. Ideally, the tank will be run at NO at or below 10 ppm but you have some latitude as I have stated. While your fish can likely handle the higher nutrients you will be battling algae issues. If I were doing a fish only, I would definitely have a skimmer and then utilize NO3PO-X as needed and perform 20% water changes every two weeks. Continue to monitor and adjust the skimmer, NO3PO4-X as needed. I wouldn't even have a bio pellet reactor unless I was having issues or was lacking biological surface area. It's a balancing act. Find a medium that you, your tank and your livestock can adequately deal with.