Excess nutrient removal question.

[Reefmo]

Ok, I have a question for all you experts here!

I understand that most reefs are nutrient poor environments, and we as reefkeepers try to keep our tanks in this condition. It seems the best way to do this is by running a protein skimmer that pulls all of the excess nutrients out of the water before biology can break it down into the ammonia cycle.

I am running a tank without a skimmer, but I do have a denitrator on it. I measure 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrites, and like 1ppm or so of nitrates now that the denitrator has cycled.

My question is: if I am measuring this low of nitrates, how would I know if there is still excess nutrients in the water column... If my system and a system with a protein skimmer measure the same, are they the same?

What am I missing?? Please enlighten before I go and by a remoraC for my 24g nano.

reefmo (studying away)
24 Gallon Aquapod Blog
Tank Specs

[Discdogge]

I think it's more of a matter of keeping it stable, rather than the intial cycle.
Some people say you can keep a nano stable by frequent water changes, but personally, shelling out the 100$ for a used remora beats a ton of water changes any day.

As far as our reef tanks being nutrient poor, there are things you can dose. Look up prodibio. I used it in my pod, and really liked the results.

Also, having a skimmer allows you to feed heavier, if your a person who likes to feed your coral.

[Doug1]

What is the bio load in your nano like, how much do you feed? How do you deal with removing waste and leftovers?
Take a baster and blow off the LiveRock and see how much crud it stirs up, it's all bio waste that will break down and release phosphates and produce nitrate at some point