Macro algea light nutrient question

[kinerson]

If someone finds better macro algea growth with one type of light verses another type, does that mean that they would also find better nutrient export while running the one light verses the other? Or is the extra growth occuring by the macro algea a result of using elements within the light source and there by not using up more nutrients from the water?

I think the way it works is this..

The light allows the algea to utilze the nutrients in the water in order for it to grow. Therefore the better the light quality, the better the ability of the algea to use up nutrients from the water for growth.

Am I right or am I way off???

Kinerson

 

[Samala]

Re: Macro algea light nutrient question

The light allows the algea to utilze the nutrients in the water in order for it to grow. Therefore the better the light quality, the better the ability of the algea to use up nutrients from the water for growth.

Kinerson - I am no expert but I believe this part is true. Algae needs light, a carbon source, and certain nutrients to grow - nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium and potassium. If you up the amount of light over your macroalgae they should grow faster provided that all of the other requirements are met. Ultimately, something in your tank will become the limiting factor for macroalgae growth. In low light tanks its the light that's the limiting factor.. in a high light tank it may be nitrogen or phosphorous, or any of the others. For some of the calcified species (Halimeda for example), calcium may also become a limiting factor.

Hope that helps some.. (please someone correct me if I'm wrong!)
>Sarah

 

[kinerson]

Thanks Sarah,
Yeah that helps a bit. It's sounds like I'm looking at this process correctly. What I want to do is remove as much nutrients from my tank as possible with the aid of macro algea. I'm not trying to grow the stuff simply for the sake of growing it. Therefore, if increasing light levels or duration only aids in growing macro without using up more nutrients then I won't do it. But it sounds like it would continue to use up nutrients until the point in which either there isn't any nutrients for growth or not enough light for growth.

Thanks,
Greg