May I just say that I'm not doing anything novel here. There are plenty of other tanks doing this.
We struggle with replacing foundation elements, and keeping nutrients at acceptable levels. Water changes used to help us achieve all those things.
Now we have calcium reactors that put back alk, Ca, Mg, and some trace elements. We have carbon dosing, for me in particular biopellets, that maintain a respectable nitrate level. We have GFO to maintain an acceptable phosphate level.
Until my corals let me know that I am lacking in something they need, I'll just continue down this route, feed my tank like crazy, export waste like crazy, send in an annual Triton test, test my water, and let mother nature tell me what she's missing when she's missing it. Until then, I don't intend to do any water changes and save my money on salt and my back from lifting buckets and enjoy what I have created.
We struggle with replacing foundation elements, and keeping nutrients at acceptable levels. Water changes used to help us achieve all those things.
Now we have calcium reactors that put back alk, Ca, Mg, and some trace elements. We have carbon dosing, for me in particular biopellets, that maintain a respectable nitrate level. We have GFO to maintain an acceptable phosphate level.
Until my corals let me know that I am lacking in something they need, I'll just continue down this route, feed my tank like crazy, export waste like crazy, send in an annual Triton test, test my water, and let mother nature tell me what she's missing when she's missing it. Until then, I don't intend to do any water changes and save my money on salt and my back from lifting buckets and enjoy what I have created.