Nutrient levels and feeding consistency

[b4tn]

After several setbacks related to algae outbreaks and such, my interest in nutrient import and export has been peaked. Over the past several years until recently I very rarely tested for PO4 or NO3. I never bothered because they always read 0 anyhow due to whatever outbreak was consuming them. As my reef is slowly stabilizing from getting rid of some nasty algae I am thinking a lot about Nutrient import and export and what my strategy is going to be. On days when I am home my reef tends to get fed really well several times over the course of the day... (Lets face it, who doesnt love to feed the fish) but on weekdays they only get 1 or 2 feedings based on work and family activities after work. It got me to thinking about how I feed my fish and corals. We very meticulously time and measure alk, calc, mag, and other supplements to keep levels consistent. Heck, even my dogs get measured amounts of food at roughly the same time every day so they maintain a consistent weight. So I am curious how many measure out reef/fish food and keep to a schedule? Could it be possible to find that sweet spot like 1 sheet of nori, 1/2 teasppon of flake, 1/2 teaspoon of pellets = .02 PO4 and 5ppm NO3? Or does Nutrient export equipment such as scrubbers and skimmers just collect more waste?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Depends on the tank, what's in it, your husbandry routine (weekly water changes, monthly......)

In my opinion, a skimmer is needed.

I like refugiums myself. Chaetomorpha is a good export means.

Water changes are a help.

With your N03 at 5ppm and P04 at 0.03, you should be fine. Every system is different and depends on the maturity of the system, the corals you keep and how many. How many fish....etc.