Much agree with all of that. However I've heard that the ratings are given assuming the tank is VERY lightly stocked, so I never know how much to overshoot that by but I've been told to be 33%-50% above the "max recommended" with an average stock. I'd love to see a formula given for that though (ml per day of skim), I've yet to see one. I've about 10 fish and I'm lightly stocked on coral. I don't overfeed and I do quite well keeping the chemistry in check for the most part. The only thing that is on the constant climb is the nitrates. I feed sparingly and over a few minutes time period to avoid uneaten food due to the fish not eating it before it ends up stuck under some rocks. I do have a lot of little caves and nooks where things can get stuck. Perhaps that's part of my problem. My new setup I'll run some PVC underneath my rock to help with that but for now it's not a project I can start. I have a refugium with a flood light on it as a few people recommended..... I'm thinking there could be a better lighting source for that, perhaps that'd make a big difference right there?
-Greg |