Water changes

[Lampshade]

If you ware using a calcium reactor how is it any different than natural seawater replacing minerals? The trace elements are in the media, since it is dead coral. If i was dosing i would be doing lots of water changes to reduce the "extra" elements you are adding with the 2 part mixes.

The way i see it is if you have a big enough balanced system(well cycled, 0 nitrates/phosphates) then all you're doing in a water change is taking out "live" water full of beneficial bacteria, and replacing it with "dead" water. Why don't we change live rock over time? In theory it should have the same degradation as the water and buildup of unwanted elements.

I'm not wanting to full out say they're bad, lots of people do them, lots don't. Just putting forward something smarter lazy/cheap reefing. I've tried both ways, found that my tank stayed more balanced when i didn't do them.