Calcium dosing and hair algae

[sjburkett]

Is there any information or thought process regarding differing calcium supplements and how they relate to hair algae? That is, is there any evidence to support one method over another hoping for a benefit for hair algae control? I am curious to see if perhaps dosing a slurry of calcium hydroxide, because of the temporary elevation in pH, is better than a two part calcium chloride/ buffer addition.

Any thoughts?


Thanks all,


Stephen

 

[Aquarist007]

Calcium is a nutrient for algae growth but it is vital for corals clams etc.---so controlling algae through calcium is not an effective way. Here is some reading:
http://www.bioremediate.com/algae.htm

 

[kevin2000]

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that sustained PH has a positive impact on nuisance alga's ... using kalkwasser should help that process. Kalkwasser is also know to precipitate phosphates which would also help in the fight against nuisance alga's.

I doubt that calc levels by themselves have much, if any, impact on algae. I suppose a higher calc level might make your skimmer work more effeciently which may help remove nutrients but thats about it.

Just my 02

 

[bertoni]

Higher calcium levels might also encourage coralline algae growth, which might reduce hair algae, but that's pushing it.

 

[sjburkett]

Capn - I have not heard of Ca++ being a nutrient for algae. Other than in certain macroalgae (Halimeda, etc.), where would it get deposited?

Bert - hair algae wont grow where coralline already exists, so I agree with and understand elevated Ca++ levels indirectly inhibiting hair algae by limiting attachment points.

kevin2000 - do you know where I might find some anecdotal evidence regarding the relationship between elevated pH and algal growth as that is exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[kevin2000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10129657#post10129657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjburkett
kevin2000 - do you know where I might find some anecdotal evidence regarding the relationship between elevated pH and algal growth as that is exactly what I'm looking for.

That anecdotal evidence is based on reading numerous threads on RC and elsewhere ... a search should give you a zillion threads .. unfortunately the search feature on RC doesn't always work these days.

 

[sjburkett]

Thanks.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10129657#post10129657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjburkett
Capn - I have not heard of Ca++ being a nutrient for algae. Other than in certain macroalgae (Halimeda, etc.), where would it get deposited?

that was new to me also, but it is in the article that I linked in the other post

 

[bertoni]

Calcium is used in small amount by a lot of organisms, including people, outside of the skeletons. As I recall, the amount is extremely small, though, by our standards.

 

[jdieck]

As a side note Calcium Reactors may promote alge growth if they are limited by CO2 availability.
Also certain medias may add some amount of Phosphates although after testing ARM and Gen-X I found it to be less than 0.02 ppm in the effluent, la lot ess that you would expect from feeding and below the minimum recommended levels.