Nutrient strategy question

Scottsquatch · Jan 20, 2018

Before my health forced me to abort my build a couple of years ago, it seemed like nutrient control was a major battle. Most everybody was using powerful skimmers, GFO reactors, and large refugiums or ATS. Now that I am back into the hobby and have resumed work toward my build, I have noticed a change in opinion concerning nutrient management. It appears many have stopped usung GFO altogether and some folks are running skimmerless. Some are even dosing nitrate and phosphate.
Here is where my question comes in. Are people abandoning these tools as their tanks mature and the corals naturally consume these nutrients? Or are these tools being avoided from the start? In the not too distant future, I will be filling up my reef and want to know what I should incorporate with my start up. I originally had planned on using a skimmer 24/7, a gfo reactor, and a refugium. It seems that I should not use the gfo reactor and maybe even only run the skimmer part time. Can some of you guys give your experiences/educated opinions? I am trying to figure out what I should shoot for in a completely brand new setup from tank and equipment to rock. I dont want to start out on the wrong foot or at a disadvantage. Thanks for any input.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 20, 2018

There are two issues here, IMO.

One is that folks are not as afraid of nutrients, with 2 ppm nitrate and 0.03 ppm phosphate being viewed as fine.

New tools such as organic carbon dosing and mega surface area media (e.g., MarinePure) have allowed folks to more easily lower nutrients, sometimes too far.

IMO, GFO is still widely used as nitrate is easier to control than P.

JOKER · Jan 20, 2018

I would recommend running skimmer 24/7 as randy has stated before it does so much more than just remove waste so maybe get one recommended for slightly lower than your water volume or right at it instead of a big one. I am in the boat where I have too much filtration, and have to dose PO4. In my system I run a larger skimmer, 3 marine pure blocks in sump, rock (pukani) which I love, and a remote deep sand bed in sump. I only do water changes to keep up trace elements.