Caulerpa to Control Nitrates

[oo bubbagump oo]

Can caulerpa be used to control nitrates?
Nitsuj

 

[dreeves]

Yes...and phosphates and silicates...Mangroves can be utilized as well.

 

[nm reef]

Yup...macro algaes in general...but especially caulerpa's...can effectively consume unwanted nutrients that feed an assortment of unwanted alges. As the caulerpas grow simply harvest and discard them which in effect removes the excess nutrients.

 

[dreeves]

Do they consume silicates? I assumed they did. Was I incorrect in my assumption?

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by dreeves
Do they consume silicates? I assumed they did. Was I incorrect in my assumption?
It is my understanding that at least they absorb most ions in the process of consuming ammonia, nitrAtes, and phosphates. They just may not need copper, silicates, lead, iron, sodium, cloride, and others for growth.

 

[cincyreefer]

No, I am pretty sure that caulerpa does not consume silicates. Diatoms use silicates in the structure of their cell wall, but I am not aware of any macros that use silicates.

 

[oo bubbagump oo]

Ok, educated responses.
I just threw a 3" piece of feather caulerpa in my tank. I will be careful of it spreading, how fast should it spread? Also, should my nitrates just dwindle?

 

[cincyreefer]

what kind of lighting do you have? Caulerpa grows rather quickly in long wavelengths (red spectrum) but this can also cause more algae growths in the aquarium as well. I have seen caulerpa grow rather quickly in nutrient rich water, but make sure you remove any parts that start to cellophane. It is also a good idea to prune it every week.

 

[oo bubbagump oo]

I have 100w 6500K Halide w/20w actinic. The center of my tank is really bright due to the MH and the edges are dimmer but I hope my inhabitants like it like that. My ballast is for dual lamps but I just chose to light it with one. The caulerpa is in the "low" light area of the tank.

 

[bigjohn]

what is caulerpa? i have been batteling a nitrate problem myself with frequent water changes but have not been having much luck. So what is caulerpa?

 

[dreeves]

Caulerpa is a macro algea often times utilized in a refugium for the purpose to control nitrates and others...the caulerpa consumes the nitrate thus exporting it from the water.
There are a few different types of caulerpa as well...