Low Nutrients too fight HA
- Thread starter GeoJ
- Start date
elegance coral
They call me EC
In this hobby, most of the time, when we're talking about nutrients in the water, we're referring to waste. In reality, one organisms waste, is another organisms nutrients. The pets we buy produce waste that becomes nutrients for other organisms like algae and bacteria.
Wow, that make a lot of sense.
So, can I say nutrients feed the tank and waste pollutes the tank. If so is there a way to feed the tank so corals receive the nutrients they need, but not pollute the tank, feeding HA?
philosophile
New member
frequent water changes... once the organisms excrete waste, you need to get rid of it some how... usually water changes is the way most of us lose excess nutrients... other ways are through protein skimming and harvesting macroalgae.
It does make sense that you can't put nutrients in with out it becoming waste and needing to remove it. Now what is confusing to me, is I see HA as being hardier then corals and have never had HA die-off before corals when running ULNS. What am I missing here if any?
elegance coral
They call me EC
It's very hard to kill off hair algae simply by reducing nutrients. It's much easier if we physically removing the algae itself. Hair algae creates its own mini-nutrient cycle that can be hard to break. The strands of algae act as a mechanical filter trapping organic particles. These particles fall between the strands of algae, where they rot and release the nutrients they contain. The algae then use these nutrients to fuel new growth. Within the colony of algae there is a cycle of death and rebirth. As one strand of algae dies, it decomposes and fuels the next generation of algae. In this way, it's able to recycle nutrients, reducing its dependence on nutrients in the open water.
In the wild, hair algae can start growing on a solid structure, like a rock. As the algae traps more and more particulate matter, it builds up at the base of the algae. Over time, this material can become so thick that the algae is no longer attached to the rock it started growing on. It's now living on the surface of the detritus/sand/silt/soil that it has accumulated. You can literally lift this algae off the rocks, like lifting newly laid sod out of your yard.
To be efficient at ridding a system of this algae, we need to break this cycle. To do that, we need to remove the algae, and the accumulation of organic matter/detritus that fuels its growth. This can be easier said than done. In extreme cases, the system may need to be broken down and started all over again.
HTH
Peace
EC
In the wild, hair algae can start growing on a solid structure, like a rock. As the algae traps more and more particulate matter, it builds up at the base of the algae. Over time, this material can become so thick that the algae is no longer attached to the rock it started growing on. It's now living on the surface of the detritus/sand/silt/soil that it has accumulated. You can literally lift this algae off the rocks, like lifting newly laid sod out of your yard.
To be efficient at ridding a system of this algae, we need to break this cycle. To do that, we need to remove the algae, and the accumulation of organic matter/detritus that fuels its growth. This can be easier said than done. In extreme cases, the system may need to be broken down and started all over again.
HTH
Peace
EC
_shorty_
New member
Thanks Elegance - that's good info.
In regards to removing GHA out of DT - Algae scrubbers have proven to effectively outcompete the GHA in DT. I've seen some pretty amazing/drastic before and after pics when using a scrubber, as well as experienced it myself. It does take time, though.
My tank is not completely GHA free - I still have small amounts, but compared to what it was after my initial cycle, i am very pleased. The stubborn sections are probably still there, I'm guessing, due to some of the factors that Elegance Coral explained.
In regards to removing GHA out of DT - Algae scrubbers have proven to effectively outcompete the GHA in DT. I've seen some pretty amazing/drastic before and after pics when using a scrubber, as well as experienced it myself. It does take time, though.
My tank is not completely GHA free - I still have small amounts, but compared to what it was after my initial cycle, i am very pleased. The stubborn sections are probably still there, I'm guessing, due to some of the factors that Elegance Coral explained.
This is all lining up with my experience. I can control the HA or knock it back with an ULNS but in the process put corals in harms way. When I have kept the tank in this ULNS for long amounts of time the HA would not die all the way out. Some corals would be pushed to the edge of death. To stop the corals from getting worse and dieing I would provide them with the life giving nutrients they need. Of course this added nutrients would magically change into waste and feed the HA. :headwalls:
Thus leading me to my original question, Is there a difference between waste and nutrients or can we make them different? Say by feeding live food that do not decompose in to waste or is that not possible?
Thus leading me to my original question, Is there a difference between waste and nutrients or can we make them different? Say by feeding live food that do not decompose in to waste or is that not possible?
tommer725
The boy who cried fish
Very true, an ATS can turn many systems around.
When I have kept the tank in this ULNS for long amounts of time some corals would be pushed to the edge of death. Is this what most people are seeing? When I have ran ULNS in the past I would keep phosphate at .03-.06 ppm or below, nitrate I am a bit lazy on its testing but it is normally very low (undetectable with my tests).
I too have done well with ATS in the past but I am looking for something better, as there is more maintenance then I would like in the implementation of an ATS, and some peoples allergies are aggravated by the smells as mine are.
Awe, I think we have a winner in this thread they point out how there is a difference between nutrients and waste I need to read absorb it. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2253547&page=2
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