Is there anyone knows what does seaweed/macroalgae needs to grow and thrive?

[ivans75]

Hello guys, I am in the process of starting a little seaweed (euchema cottoni) farm. Euchema cottoni is a macro algae that can be used as human consumption as well.

Anyone knows what kind of nutrition I should provide other than the existing organics in my marine pool? Iron perhaps?

 

[burnah]

chelated iron would be an idea, try the search function for more info on this as i am a noob regarding iron. there should be tons of info, even how to use alimentation supplements to dose in a reef tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Adequate sources of nitrogen and phosphorus are very clearly a need. Iron is probably useful, but I've not seen tests on this exact species. It is clearly useful for some macroalgae species, and I dose it to my reef for that reason. Other elements may also be needed if there are not water exchanges with real or artificial seawater somehow.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

For a true farm you'll probably buy chemicals, and I give a DIY iron citrate recipe in one of my iron articles (the first one):

First Iron Article: Macroalgae and Dosing Recommendations
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/chem.htm

Second Iron Article: Iron: A Look at Organisms Other than Macroalgae
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2002/chem.htm

For smaller operations and most reef tanks, I recommend a DIY made from Fergon tablets from a drug store:

Take 1 tablet and dissolve in 100 mL RO/DI (overnight soak). Let the solids settle out and use the liquid. Then I dose about 1-5 mL to my 200 gallons (dose is not critical) occasionally.

 

[ivans75]

wooow thanks randy, exactly what I need. Fergon tablet? Dunno if i can find it here.

 

[ivans75]

chelated iron...hmmm what does "chelated" means?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Chelated in this context means that an organic molecule is holding each iron ion, keeping it from precipitating as insoluble iron oxide or hydroxide.

Instead of Fergon, you could look at a local pharmacy and see if there are any ferrous gluconate supplements for people (iron supplements) that do not list phosphate as an ingredient in the formulation.