[wickjr]

I have heard the term OTS a few times, but never had it explained this much. Scary stuff to say the least. The idea of a sand bed or LR becoming oversaturated over time makes total sense to me, though I am a nebie to reef tanks. It seems that no matter how well you filter or clean a tank, there are just too many places for detritus to go to be able to get it all. Over time, this stuff has to build up. Could OTS be as simple as the gradual clogging of pores in rock and sand causing the different types of bacteria to decline in numbers to a point that they can't keep up? Also, I am not currently using any mechanical filtration on my tank. I was in the beginning, but since adding a sump I don't anymore. The parameters have stayed a lot more consistent, especially nitrate, since I stopped using it. Did I do wrong by elminating it? I still use a skimmer and phosban, but allow high water flow, LR and sand to keep the tank right.