water quality

[red hat]

I'm interested in opinions on what you think are the three most beneficial reef lifeforms to aid in maintaining a high water quality.
Thank You,
redhat

[zoltetov]

bacteria, bacteria, and good macroalgae in the refugium. In that order!

[jeffbrig]

zoltetov is right, anything else in the tank has the effect of reducing water quality. So, the next most beneficial lifeforms would be the ones you DON'T put in the tank! :D

Some people think that scavengers and clean up crews help maintain water quality, but this is only partially true. For anything they consume, only what they use to grow or expend as energy is truly being "removed" from the water. The rest is simply released again as waste, ultimately reducing water quality.

[red hat]

Sorry, what I meant to ask was: what reef corals help export nutrients, including dissloved organic carbon,via absorbtion or ingestion ?