Thanks Perry, your thread finally gave me the inspiration to finish up my write up. I've had so many people ask why this, why that, I figured I'd finally compose a write up that I can easily point people towards.
Allan,
Thanks for taking the time to put a ton of observations, thoughts, and experiences to documentation. It can be somewhat overwhelming trying to put it all down, where it flows. You did this well! We use very similar products, and also run our systems similarly. Crazy! I have been using FWS for 17 years, on every reef, and swear by it. I used the Phols Extra, and Extra Special, but given my food is rich in aminos, my salts have aminos, and I dose AF Coral Boost weekly too, which is Calcium Carbonate Snow with aminos added. That said, it is a food and treated as such. Might have to give Fauna Marin Min S a go... Great work discussing bio-media, some think it's purpose is only nutrient/nitrate control, when in reality, it simply mimicks live rock adding copius areas for bacteria homing, as well as micro life to proliferate. I have had dusters, worms, micro stars, and many other life forms imbedded in the media. I prefer Siporax above all, it is likely the most porous media available, pumice is good too. Look into AF's Life Source----Fiji extracted mud, and AF Life Bio Fil, pumice with pre-imbedded bacteria, probiotic strains. These products will also add in diveristy, likely more beneficial for newer systems... Anyway, keep up the great work brother!