with the base 4, (start, bak, food, and C.V) these all work to reduce your nutrients to near zero.  
 
I have tried running just the zeo system with no live rock, and only a small sandbed. it worked fine, but with the addition of live rock, the system was much easier to care for. 
 
skimming is a must 
		
	
		
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
	
		
		
	
	
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