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carbon will interfere with the skimmer return, possibly causing it to overflow.
The bio-bale is just a wad of shredded plastic strips.
Nitrates will cause problems for coral growth by interfereing with calcium intake...phosphates also do this except it replaces the calcium, creating weak points in stony corals.
Fish tolerate much higher nitrate levels than inverts.
Zach...that's what I did. Started as FOWLR, but with low reef lighting. Then added my refugium, upgraded the skimmer, and started adding corals. I'm about ready to add a BTA...probably later this week when the LFS gets one.
malkore. i will have no room for a refuge Also, i have about 6 watts per gallon so i will be able to play with some beginner corals for a lil bit before i get my bigge tank. hopefully like a 220 or soo i cant wait but its still about a year out.
didn't mean to imply a fuge was required...it's not. mine is very small, its the one by CPR, the Medium model. Only holds about 4gallons of water, but I have a little light over it and grow clumps of chaeto, which helps me maintain undetectable nitrates and phosphates.