Beaslbob,
Ok, I've been reading tons of your posts on here recently and have kept my mouth shut, but this is just too much finally, and I feel the need to post in response. I'll try to make them as concise as possible.
To begin, let me first state that I in *NO WAY* am saying you're wrong about anything *in regards to your tank*. I agree that having macros growing in a refugium or the main tank will in fact help reduce some of the levels of nitrates.
The issue I have is your condescending tone to anyone that gives any kind of advice out that doesn't fit 'your scheme' of things.
The tone that comes across in postings does leave alot to be desired, but after reading many of your posts, your replies come across as condescending know-it-all-ism about methods that fly in the face of conventional, tested reef keeping methods.
Your arguments in the past regarding just using tap water and plant life because that is what the ocean has is simply flawed on the basis that a tank is *NOT* a natural system, and never will be.
As reefers, we try to get our tanks to emulate what the ocean does naturally.
The idea that tap water is the same as what flows to the ocean is flawed due to the fact that tap water is *treated* at water treatment plants to make it potable. Lots of stuff added to kill bad little germs, and other reasons. Rivers flowing to the ocean don't go through a large treatment plant before dumping into the ocean.
I take umbrage to the fact that with *every* response to a question posted about someones tank, your answer is always the same "Get lots of plant life going"
Sorry, but if other parameters aren't kept in check, no amount of plant life is going to magically fix their tank and all will be well, all will be well, and all manner of this will be well.
Your posts come across with the same tone as someone pushing an EcoAqualizer on someone - "It will stabilize your water, your corals will flourish, grow and go to Harvard; just add this and never add anything else to your tank"
Sorry, no matter *what* your experiences are, this is simply *not* true.
A reef tank (any tank for that matter) is a CLOSED SYSTEM. The ocean is not.
For a reef tank, how is plant life going to ensure that Ca levels are maintained when the corals use it up? What about other trace elements?
Not all tap water has these, which is why we have test kits and additives.
What about kalk reactors, skimmers, different methods of filtration?
Plant life simply *cannot* take the place of all of these. I suppose if I have a 180gal tank and a 500 gal refugium full of plant life than *maybe* the system you push would work.
I am truly glad that your tank is successful with this method, but pushing your methods as the final solution for someones problems does *nothing* to help them out.
There are tried and true methods to deal with maintaining a reef tank; yours simply is not one of them.
Does this mean you are wrong? Nope..not at all and not saying that...I'm saying your method is *UNPROVEN* We have nothing to go by other than your word on your experiences. BTW, your experiences also mean very little when you realize the fact that of your umpteen years with tanks, you only have 1 YEAR with a reef. Given the dynamics of a reef tank, that wouldn't even be considered a mature reef tank IMHO.
Now if you want to do some kind of study on your tank and post the valid results alongside a similar tank that *doesn't* use your methods that's all well and good......but it doesn't take away from the fact that your methodology is not one that should be pushed to answer every single question.
The biggest thing that irks me with your posts is the contradicting other answers....He has algae problems...an option is an RO/DI unit (that is a proven method to work) Your answers after the fact come across as 'You don't need all that $$ stuff...just get plants and all will be fine'
You seem to be saying that nobody else knows what they're doing and are all idiots because they don't utilize your system.
Gah...I'm done.
And apologies all for the long post!
:?
