What method for reducing nitrates/phosphates do you use?

[Myka]

In my own tank I just use light stocking and good maintenance. I don't use GFO or carbon dosing. Nitrate is less than 0.25 ppm and phosphate is 0.003-0.009 ppm.

One of my clients' 230-gallon tanks had 750 ppm nitrate and 2.5 ppm phosphate when I started maintaining it. Using a small recirculating biopellet reactor with only 500 mL biopellets the nitrate is down to 20 ppm and phosphate is down to 0.3 ppm. Biopellets can certainly mop up a good mess!