fishoutawater
New member
post #185 above calls it "primary production" and "primary reduction".
post #185 above calls it "primary production" and "primary reduction".
post #185 isn't referring to dosing phytoplankton in a closed system
you must be very careful to make the distinction between closed systems (such as reef aquaria) and the ocean- they're apples and oranges.
this thread has the potential to turn so many reef aquaria into pea soup.
post #185 above calls it "primary production" and "primary reduction".
"œHere is a great site that is more reefer-friendly than the research studies previously posted:"
"œCoralScience.org, 2010:"
"œSince early explorers such as Charles Darwin started to study coral reefs in the 19th century, much has been learned about the enigmatic creatures called corals. One of the most intriguing questions has always been how corals are able to survive in a seemingly empty ocean. The discovery of symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae, in 1881 marked a key point in the understanding of coral biology. In the 1970's and 1980's, scientists determined that reef building corals may rely entirely on their symbiotic algal partners for their daily energy [not growth] intake. Without these nutritive algae, thriving in the coral's endoderm [skin], coral reefs as we know them today may never have existed."
"œFrom these findings, most aquarists have concluded that corals with symbiotic algae do not require any supplemental plankton feeding. Today, most marine aquaria are well equipped with strong lighting fixtures, but lack the technology to supply plankton or other fine particles. Relatively recent studies however have shown that the waters surrounding coral reefs are no underwater deserts at all. In fact, they are teeming with life such as bacteria, protozoa, phytoplankton and zooplankton. Although ocean water is very low in dissolved nutrients [in the top 300 feet of depth] such as ammonia, nitrate, phosphate and silica, this is on average sufficient to allow bacteria, protozoa and phytoplankton to grow. This is because many of these organisms are autotrophic, and are able to utilise the sun's energy to produce organic [food] molecules. This forms the basis of the marine food chain: phytoplankton is consumed by zooplankton, which is subsequently devoured by larger organisms. [Phytoplankton also perform nutrient primary-reduction]"
"œAll of this indicates that marine aquaria are chronically underfed in terms of plankton, which is reflected by the often poor biodiversity in these closed systems. Many highly interesting marine organisms such as sponges, tunicates, bivalves and corals that lack symbiotic algae usually do not survive for long in most marine aquaria."
"œAlthough stony corals [which use] zooxanthellae may thrive in most aquaria, even these animals still highly benefit from additional plankton feeding. This is because heterotrophy, the consumption of organic molecules [plankton], provides the necessary building blocks for animals to grow. Although zooxanthellae provide corals with ample amounts of energy by translocating carbohydrates and fats, additional food sources rich in nitrogen and other elements are crucial as well. Feeding stony corals with zooplankton has been shown to increase growth rates, and may also provide additional resilience against disease. Reproduction is likely stimulated as well, by allowing more energy to be invested in the production of gametes [for baby corals]."
"œMarine scientists currently have reached a general consensus about how corals take up nutrients, which ranges from dissolved nutrients to mega-zooplankton, and have shown the importance of a variety of nutritive sources for coral growth and survival. In addition, aquarists and hobbyists have provided detailed photographs and video footage of coral feeding behavior in the aquarium. A group of scleractinian corals however has remained controversial: the small polyped stony corals, commonly referred to as SPS corals. These animals are often wrongly believed to simply rely on strong lighting and dissolved inorganic nutrients such as ammonium, nitrate and phosphate. Scientists have clearly shown that species from this group, such as Pocillopora damicornis and Stylophora pistillata, strongly benefit from plankton consumption. Actual footage of SPS corals consuming plankton has been sparse, however."
"œThe three videos [linked at the site] clearly demonstrate zooplankton capture by two small polyped scleractinians: Seriatopora caliendrum and Stylophora pistillata. From this footage it becomes clear that at least Stylophora pistillata ingests zooplankton. Stylophora pistillata also digests zooplankton externally by expelling mesenterial filaments. Seriatopora caliendrum may also digest zooplankton externally, similar to Galaxea fascicularis and Stylophora pistillata, or internally, after uptake through the stomodeum (mouth and pharynx). Either way, scleractinian corals may highly benefit from additional zooplankton feedings."