What's the difference and what do I really need

Fenzinna · Jul 24, 2016

Bob Escher said:
I agree with my water parameters. Those parameters are from last week normally ( before I added the sump) parameters are more in line. He also has a much bigger sump but I will take his water parameter and use them
But at the same time he must have a Fish only tank because he says all he has is a skimmer and spirox media. No live sand or rock? No cheato no nothing than those two items? Both you guys seem to have less than I have you both have only fish tanks? No coral no live rock or sand

I didn't state liverock and live sand because that is a given. My tank is a reef. Sps only.

Bob Escher · Jul 24, 2016

Fenzinna said:
I didn't state liverock and live sand because that is a given. My tank is a reef. Sps only.

Live rock and live sand is not a given. There are many people that have bare bottomed tanks and little rock
That is what a FOWLR tank is ( no sand just rock)
So in you saying you only have a skimmer and spirox a only is not true. I'm using the same as you with the addition of purigen and a bio pellets. Purigen doesn't remove phosphates that's what the bio pellets are for ( I have a little brown hair algae

But thank you

Fenzinna · Jul 24, 2016

Bob Escher said:
Live rock and live sand is not a given. There are many people that have bare bottomed tanks and little rock
That is what a FOWLR tank is ( no sand just rock)
So in you saying you only have a skimmer and spirox a only is not true. I'm using the same as you with the addition of purigen and a bio pellets. Purigen doesn't remove phosphates that's what the bio pellets are for ( I have a little brown hair algae

But thank you

Look, I'm trying to help you. But if all you're going to do is find issues with the way I worded things then no one can help you.

The truth is, you have so much stuff going on that you don't know what's working and what isn't.

reeferfoxx · Jul 24, 2016

Bob said "Seachem matrix , purigen, poly filter for filtration"

Matrix is just like having rock rubble for beneficial bacteria
Purigen is like having activated carbon
Poly filter is just like having a micron filter pad

He isn't doing too much.

If anything his water changes are small and his dosing regimen was slightly off, respectfully.

saltyhog · Jul 24, 2016

Bob Escher said:
Purigen doesn't remove phosphates that's what the bio pellets are for ( I have a little brown hair algae

But thank you

While it's true biopellets and all forms of carbon dosing do remove some amount of phosphate, its miniscule compared to it's reduction of nitrate. As your tank matures and your bioload increases you may still need another form of phosphate reduction. I have found GFO to be the easiest and most effective for me.