ULNS - Denitrators

[kien]

Originally Posted by reefwars

personally i think low range is good enough for what most of us want to do

he speaks the truth! In fact, I recall reading that the ocean reefs do not operate in a truly Ultra Low Nutrient environment like we often try to achieve. That is, they have measurable nitrates! The reason we do it is so that we starve out the browning zoanthellae within the coral so that they eject them. This results in paling. To counter this you have to feed them with amino acids and various other supplements to maintain colour. It's a very delicate balance act. Stave them then feed them just enough so that they look super awesome. Many corals in the ocean reefs are naturally not as colourful as what we see in ULNS reef tanks.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by kien

he speaks the truth! In fact, I recall reading that the ocean reefs do not operate in a truly Ultra Low Nutrient environment like we often try to achieve. That is, they have measurable nitrates! The reason we do it is so that we starve out the browning zoanthellae within the coral so that they eject them. This results in paling. To counter this you have to feed them with amino acids and various other supplements to maintain colour. It's a very delicate balance act. Stave them then feed them just enough so that they look super awesome. Many corals in the ocean reefs are naturally not as colourful as what we see in ULNS reef tanks.

yeah its a teetor totter (?) and delicate , so some steps need to be taken to keep them stable.

like i say though i dont find the need t go ULNS you get great colors, growth and overall livestock health is just fine in a low range system

youll still be nil for nitrates but at least its not sterile inda nil lol

[mseepman]

I use Prodibio (just the main three) and I live just on the border between really low and ultra low. I also have to do very little in terms of maintenance. I will say that I cut back reefbooster to almost nothing and before I knew it my corals lost color and were starving. Since going back to their recommended dosing colors are coming back. I feed quite a bit and have to use gfo to keep phosphates in check.