Are organic compounds necessary or not?

[Rixar]

I've been reading in various parts of this forum for some time now that it's believed corals can live without organic matter, like hydroponic plants, as long as they have access to available inorganic nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus).

If this is true, could we maintain a reef aquarium with a very large skimmer and pumps that add the amount of NO3 and PO4 the system needs?

Is this possible?

Thanks, and sorry if this is a crazy question.

 

[JTP424]

I think you're basically describing a frag tank?
Or at least... what is needed for a frag tank....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve not seen clear evidence one way or the other, since no one can possibly keep an aquarium that contains no organic matter in the water, but many folks do have very large skimmers and do not dose organics except in fish foods. I think it is likely corals do not “require” organics in the water.

 

[ReefGeezer]

I think the simple answer is yes. Carbon is likely provided to the photosynthesis process by the calcification process. However: 1) Organic carbon is required to support many of the organisms that manage the corals' environment; 2) It is needed as food for corals that do not rely completely on photosynthesis; and 3) In my experience, corals grow faster when organic carbon is available.

 

[Rixar]

Thanks, I've installed a powerful skimmer for the size of my aquarium, since I didn't have one before and the water quality wasn't sufficient.

I've always maintained my nitrates (NO3) and phosphates (PO4) by adding doses with my Versa pumps.

I just wanted to know if this would be a problem, or if when people talk about problems with oversized skimmers, it's simply due to insufficient nitrate and phosphate production.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[Rixar]

I think the simple answer is yes. Carbon is likely provided to the photosynthesis process by the calcification process. However: 1) Organic carbon is required to support many of the organisms that manage the corals' environment; 2) It is needed as food for corals that do not rely completely on photosynthesis; and 3) In my experience, corals grow faster when organic carbon is available.

Thank you, I use a little Coral Vitalizer to try to compensate for that. Thank you for your response; they are very useful for understanding how reefs work.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, I've installed a powerful skimmer for the size of my aquarium, since I didn't have one before and the water quality wasn't sufficient.

I've always maintained my nitrates (NO3) and phosphates (PO4) by adding doses with my Versa pumps.

I just wanted to know if this would be a problem, or if when people talk about problems with oversized skimmers, it's simply due to insufficient nitrate and phosphate production.

Thanks, everyone.

I expect no problem at all from your situation. :)

 

[Rixar]

No espero ningún problema debido a tu situación. :)

I expect no problem at all from your situation. :)

thank you so much