Hi Justin,
If possible I like to just use a skimmer as my only export. Back when we had the bigger skimmers and the external types you could keep P04 and N03 in check with just that and nothing else.
I used a huge Deltec AP750 on my 160g system for a good ten years like this. It was rated for 500g.
Now a days the skimmers suck in comparison as they are all designed to fit nicely under a cabinent at the expense of performance. Right now I use an Aquamaxx Cs 3. It's rated for about 400 gallons and my system is 90g total. It's does well but I have had to run GFO full time or on occasion based on my fish population and feeding.
Over the years I've experimented with carbon dosing because GFO isn't my favorite option. I used vinegar only for two years and also tried Tropic Marins bacto balance for 2 years on my frag tank. The problems were still always the P04 would creep up.
I started to use an old homemade formula recently of MB7 and vinegar that SunnyX (he used vodka) made popular years ago. I wanted to add this as I have and still will experiment with carbon dosing as I like it as an option because I can control it per dosing amounts.
If possible I like to just use a skimmer as my only export. Back when we had the bigger skimmers and the external types you could keep P04 and N03 in check with just that and nothing else.
I used a huge Deltec AP750 on my 160g system for a good ten years like this. It was rated for 500g.
Now a days the skimmers suck in comparison as they are all designed to fit nicely under a cabinent at the expense of performance. Right now I use an Aquamaxx Cs 3. It's rated for about 400 gallons and my system is 90g total. It's does well but I have had to run GFO full time or on occasion based on my fish population and feeding.
Over the years I've experimented with carbon dosing because GFO isn't my favorite option. I used vinegar only for two years and also tried Tropic Marins bacto balance for 2 years on my frag tank. The problems were still always the P04 would creep up.
I started to use an old homemade formula recently of MB7 and vinegar that SunnyX (he used vodka) made popular years ago. I wanted to add this as I have and still will experiment with carbon dosing as I like it as an option because I can control it per dosing amounts.