Here is the problem. People use the word "nutrients" and "clean" to refer to Nitrate/Phosphate as well as the amount of organic food in the water. You cannot measure the latter. If you look at the params of a wild reef, nitrates and phosphate are absolutely undetectable. The corals do not particularly want to eat Nitrate/Phosphate (I'm sure they consume some, but not nearly as much as a clam or sponge). They get energy from their symbiotic algae as well as they eat a LOT of food. (Post #30: Home blended coral food, (used to be $5) - Page 3) People are thinking about it backwards. You cannot over-skim or make a tank "too clean". You can only underfeed (based on your stock and filtration capability of course). If your tank can't handle a lot of coral food, and your corals are acting like they could use some "nutrients" (referring to FOOD), then up the feedings that your fish get. Corals love fish waste.
The myth about zoas and LPS not being able to live in water without some nitrate/phosphate is because a messier tank may have more food floating around, but if your levels are that high, it is not being cleaned up fast enough by your filtration. And since nitrate/phosphate can be tested and the amount of food present cannot, people say "oh look, they like the nitrate and phosphate". But in truth, they are simply tolerating it and the nitrate/phosphate is just a bi-product of food and fish waste.
