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Originally Posted by GMGQ
Well if you remove a protein skimmer, you're 'adding' Nitrates.
Either way, you're changing the water chemistry and that is what results in good/bad changes to the livestock.
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i don't believe you are "adding" nitrates per se. Protein skimmer is a form of filtration that is able to remove certain types of particles (bio waste) before it breaks down further in your tank water column. So you are actually changing the water composition which will subsequently change the water chemistry
if the waste is not removed prior to it breaking down further into ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
I believe what Steve is trying to say (and correct me if I'm wrong Steve) is that one should not compare this product to a protein skimmer because it would be like comparing the effects of removing live rock or wet/dry filter or canister filter from your aquarium. These are methods of filtration, and are not a form of additive.
On the same token, it would seem like this product is a mix of both a form of filtration and an additive. If I understand it correctly, you are feeding your system a type of bacteria that is a more efficient in nutrient export thus creating a nutrient poor environment. While simultaneously you feed your corals with different amino acids and vitamins and other coral nutrition. So who knows???
There are many valid points from different people who are using and speculating on the effectiveness of this product. But I feel it would be fair to let more people experiment with the product further and post their observations as time goes on. Opinions do matter especially when they are from very respected and experienced members of this hobby
but (and I cautiously continue to write because I do not want to offend) they are also based on past experiences and therefore they are also biased.
Like any other thing that we use in our daily lives, there will be pros and cons and I don't believe this product will be the exception to that norm. From the posts of observed growth and improved colors, it would appear to be working well for many people so there is a good likelihood that there is a benefit to using this product. We should try to learn more about the beneficial
and detrimental effects of the product if we don't understand it; we may never know when a product will bring us to the next level of reefkeeping. Until that determination is made, like many other products in this industry, it may need to evolve and be refined as to how it is used and managed. (IE weaning your corals off the product as opposed to a cold turkey approach if you do decide to stop using this product.)
To sum up my keyboarding diarrhea,
1) give this product a fair chance to mature and develope.
2) learn with it and if possible, learn from it.