WMAS Discussion Forum : Using macroalgae for nutrient export http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:15:24 +0000 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:52:58 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=22326 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : where&#039;s mark? I would&#039;ve...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=198495&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#198495 Author: Dutch
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 10 2007 at 1:52am

where's mark? I would've thought he'd be the first in here!
 
Dutch
]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:52:58 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=198495&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#198495 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : Thanks, HairMonkey! I love my...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=198083&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#198083 Author: Suzy
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 08 2007 at 9:09am

Thanks, HairMonkey! I love my planted tank, and having it be the filter for my reef is just a bigger bonus!

Thanks for the offer, Carlso63, that is very generous of you! It might not grow as well in my tank, though. I've found that with the intense competition of all the different species for nutrients, some fair better than others.

 Have you ever looked at your species through a microscope? An interesting aspect of the Chaetomorpha genus is the funky cell structure that is visible with a stronger view. I use it to entertain children who come over, after they finish at the touch tank, of course!

 OK, here is some of the funky stuff I've found about algae over the past few years:

 Marine Algae 101

  Does anyone remember the funky experiments BananaAdam did with cyanobacteria? He and I used to talk here and on RC and found a few interesting things I didn't know before. Adam had a big tank in his greenhouse with great lighting and lots of plants for his filtration. Adam was able to get cyano to bloom in his tank, and then eradicate it by adding NO3! He was actually able to replicate the experiment more than once. I could only do it once because I couldn't get the cyano to come back!

 How it works is:

    Cyanobacteria is able to fix free nitrogen gas, that is produced by our anerobic bacteria in our live rock and DSB. But, it appears to need high phosphate levels. When the closed environment uses up all the nitrate using anaerobic bacteria, the phosphate builds, causing the perfect environment for cyano to flourish.

  But, by adding nitrate, we tip the scale in favor of the higher algae: Our macroalgae! Macroalgae is much better at competition than cyano, given the nutrients it needs.

 Most alga species have 3 basic nutrient requirements: nitrate, phosphate and iron. These elements are used in different portions, though. Nitrate and phosphate utilization has been studied quite a bit. Our algae uses much more nitrate than phosphate. I have seen a few different papers that show different ratios, but the average is around 14:1, depending on the species. Our food products add both nitrate and phosphate in differing amounts, but in my tanks, I have found that my system consumes the nitrate rather fast. At that point, the alga either spores and dies, or goes dormant. In either case, it is ineffective at removing the building phosphate. It must have available nitrate to consume the phosphate.

 Kinda funky, huh? This is just how it works in my tanks, but my Salifert tests says my NO3 and PO4 is at the lowest part of the scale and my corals have never been happier. Plus, I can feed my fish as much as they need to stay healthy and non aggressive.

 Better living through chemicals? Adding nitrate is way cheap compared to using Rowphos!
]]> Sat, 08 Dec 2007 09:09:50 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=198083&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#198083 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : I think that using the combination...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=198008&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#198008 Author: BobC63
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 07 2007 at 9:31pm

I think that using the combination of skimming and macro for nutrient export can work out fine if - you don't overskim...
 
In my case I use a skimmer that is considered by most to be "not big enough / good enough" for my water volume (a CSS220 in-sump with 150-ish gallons of water volume)... I also set to skim fairly "dry". Then this 'lightly skimmed' water makes it's way to the chaeto fuge not completely devoid of organic nutrients.
 
As for the chaeto I find mine to be an excellent grower - but it likes alot of light. I use the 65w version of the 27w HD light that many others have. It sits maybe 2" off the water surface, and runs 18 hrs opposing the display light cycle. The chaeto grows so fast I can't trim it back fast enough...
 
BTW, I still have a "Chaeto FS / FT" ad somewhere on the Buy & Sell section Big%20smile
 
Suzy, if I ever make it to a meeting (I've set my sights on the January "fragfest") I will bring you some for you to test out compared to the chaetos you have already tried... I don't know nearly as much about the subject as you; but I can tell you that people who have gotten some of mine have said it looks different than what they usually have seen. It is thinner (like comparing angel hair pasta to regular spaghetti) and a lighter green shade, too.
 
Jeff, I think that in your case you need a more intense light over your fuge; if I remember correctly you were kind of cramped for a space for a light in your stand...maybe you should try one of those "clip on" spotlights ?
 
 
 
]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:31:36 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=198008&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#198008 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : No, none are floating. It is a...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197984&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197984 Author: hairmonkey
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 07 2007 at 7:50pm

[QUOTE=Suzy]No, none are floating. It is a planned aquascaped tank. I am trying to use the algae to increase depth, add interest and focal points, ect.
 
 
very cool looking, i like the look of that tank.


]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:50:03 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197984&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197984 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : I also have a Codium (again, I...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197927&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197927 Author: Suzy
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 07 2007 at 3:57pm

 I also have a Codium (again, I think) species, but I am not sure how to frag it. I might need to place a rock near it and then let it grow on to it. It is not C fragile, but a shorter, more compact species.]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:57:53 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197927&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197927 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : I have a wonderful Halymenia species,...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197925&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197925 Author: Suzy
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 07 2007 at 3:56pm

 I have a wonderful Halymenia species, I think. My tangs think it is candy! A great dark red color, medium fast grower, but can't be in a display with any herbivore. It is way too tasty!]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:56:01 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197925&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197925 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : You wouldn&#039;t happen to have...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197922&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197922 Author: jeffras
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 07 2007 at 3:52pm

You wouldn't happen to have any of those species that you could frag would you? Where is the best place to get them if not?]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:52:17 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197922&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197922 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : Yes, in a display it can get a...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197921&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197921 Author: Suzy
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 07 2007 at 3:48pm

 Yes, in a display it can get a bit time consuming to harvest. Although, one of my favorite things is to get a RumNCoke, turn on Comedy Central and prune away! In a dedicated planted tank, having a few fast growers allows me to change up the tank req and see results quick.

 Algae used for nutrient export is better in a sump, unless your sump is one of your displays! Mine tanks are all plumber together so my planted tank is the filter for my reef and FOWLR. So, I can see the interactions between algae species. It has been an interesting ride!
]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:48:27 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197921&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197921 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : jeffras wrote:The cheato...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197919&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197919 Author: Suzy
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 07 2007 at 3:44pm

Originally posted by jeffras jeffras wrote:



 The cheato seams to sustain but not grow.


 I have not found a Chaetomprpha species that I would consider a good alga for nutrient export. IME, these are the slowest growing species on the planet! The typical "spagetti" alga most of us use will grow in high nutrient environments, but suck at growth levels of other genus. And, when it has used up the NO3, it goes totally dormant.

 I think your grape might be a Caulerpa racemosa type, one of the slower growing Caulerpas in my tank. But, the blade could be C prolifera, a faster grower. But, I have found alga to be like house plants: some grow great in some houses, some do not. I think you should try another species! Maybe a Halymenia (not to be confused with Halimeda, a calciumbicarb hog) or a Codium.
]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:44:43 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197919&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197919 <![CDATA[Using macroalgae for nutrient export : One other Con is some macro-algeas...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197915&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197915 Author: Kevin
Subject: 22326
Posted: December 07 2007 at 3:34pm

One other Con is some macro-algeas have the ability to take over a tank if your not careful. I had it happen to me.]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:34:59 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22326&PID=197915&title=using-macroalgae-for-nutrient-export#197915