Saltwater fern plant versus protein skimmer?
- Thread starter duanen
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duanen
Member
http://www.aquacon.com/vip.html is where I seen what they call a saltwater fern.
2quills
Well-Known Member
It acts just like all the other plants and algae's on that page do. They feed on nutrients like ammonia and nitrates pluss a few other things. They also require light for photosynthesis.
I would not consider them a replacement for a protein skimmer because they both serve different functions in order to help achieve a similar goal in keeping nutrient levels low in the system. Skimmers help pull excess organic compounds out of the system for removal before they can break down into nutrients. Algae or plant would be there to soak up the nutrients from the organics that do end up breaking down in the system from food or waste. They also help introduce oxygen into the system. Skimmers do this as well.
Some folks will run either one or the other although they can be even more effective when used together.
I would not consider them a replacement for a protein skimmer because they both serve different functions in order to help achieve a similar goal in keeping nutrient levels low in the system. Skimmers help pull excess organic compounds out of the system for removal before they can break down into nutrients. Algae or plant would be there to soak up the nutrients from the organics that do end up breaking down in the system from food or waste. They also help introduce oxygen into the system. Skimmers do this as well.
Some folks will run either one or the other although they can be even more effective when used together.
bang guy
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by DuaneN http:///t/392152/saltwater-fern-plant-versus-protein-skimmer#post_3480659
http://www.aquacon.com/vip.html is where I seen what they call a saltwater fern.
You're going to spend money at a site called Aqua Con?
Originally Posted by DuaneN http:///t/392152/saltwater-fern-plant-versus-protein-skimmer#post_3480659
http://www.aquacon.com/vip.html is where I seen what they call a saltwater fern.
You're going to spend money at a site called Aqua Con?
btldreef
Moderator
What they refer to as the "Saltwater fern plant" is actually Neomeris annulata. (https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/373943/algae-identification-thread). There are some macroalgaes that do a better job than others at helping with the reduction of nitrates, etc. I don't think that this particular species does that much. It's will, however, such up calcium. I have some in my DT. Compared to my other macros, this one doesn't do much and is a fairly slow grower.
BTW, that site you listed is AWFUL! lol
BTW, that site you listed is AWFUL! lol
bang guy
Moderator
Can you hook up a good sized refugium? The best alga for cleaning the water are the fastest growing. These can be risky in a display tank. Many of the calcareous algae species are safe for the display tank but they grow so slow that they are mostly decorative.
Some of the Rhodophyta species are a good compromise between ease of trimming and growth speed but don't get behind on harvesting.
Some of the Rhodophyta species are a good compromise between ease of trimming and growth speed but don't get behind on harvesting.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Faster growing macroalgaes generally remove more nitrate and phosphate than slower growing macroalgaes. If you want to reduce nitrates and phosphates to keep up with the waste produced in the aquarium, then you pretty much will always want a fast growing macroalgae. Chaetomorpha is more an algae that you would want to use in a sump. It grows in clumps and isn't very pretty in a display tank. Kelp grows fast and can be pretty. Red Graselaria and caulerpa racemosa are also pretty fast growers. Any species of caulerpa is a good choice, other than toxifolia. Caulerpa has "runner roots", so harvesting that macroalgae is easier than others. All you have to do is pick up an end piece and it pulls up the rest. If you want to really make your tank look good like a display refugium, put long leaves of kelp in the back, caulerpa throughout the rockwork (different kinds) and perch some pink galaxy algae here and there for some additional color.
Algae, for me, is half the equation. Yes, algae can remove nitrates, phosphates, heavy metals, ammonia and some chemicals BUT, if you have a lot of fish in a tank you will also need an adequately sized protein skimmer and some mechanical filtration and carbon for sure....
Mechanical filtration and powerheads take care of all of the particulate organic matter in the system. Protein skimmers remove particulate and dissolved organic matter before it has a chance to break down into nitrates and phosphates and macroalgaes "mop up the rest." It's a pretty delicate balance.
Algae, for me, is half the equation. Yes, algae can remove nitrates, phosphates, heavy metals, ammonia and some chemicals BUT, if you have a lot of fish in a tank you will also need an adequately sized protein skimmer and some mechanical filtration and carbon for sure....
Mechanical filtration and powerheads take care of all of the particulate organic matter in the system. Protein skimmers remove particulate and dissolved organic matter before it has a chance to break down into nitrates and phosphates and macroalgaes "mop up the rest." It's a pretty delicate balance.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I am with Bang on this one... The best thing to do would be to set up a display refugium to keep everything contained and have your display tank for fish, corals and cool looking inverts.
btldreef
Moderator
Just a little side note: Caulerpa is not that easy to harvest from rocks, except for the grape and prolifera (IME, Prolifera really needs to be planted in a sand bed in order to thrive long term).
Also, if you have a lot of other macro algaes, the reds generally don't grow as fast. All my red and pink species (and I have quite a few) do not grow nearly as fast as the chaeto and caulerpas do, but the reds that I have isolated in their own tank grow well, still not nearly as fast as the caulerpa species do. Those are by far the fastest and can really become a nuisance in a DT.
Also, if you have a lot of other macro algaes, the reds generally don't grow as fast. All my red and pink species (and I have quite a few) do not grow nearly as fast as the chaeto and caulerpas do, but the reds that I have isolated in their own tank grow well, still not nearly as fast as the caulerpa species do. Those are by far the fastest and can really become a nuisance in a DT.
btldreef
Moderator
You won't have to deal with it daily, but bi weekly, or even weekly is possible. I harvest with weekly water changes. Some people only harvest once a month, but I have a nutrient rich system, so my macros grow quickly.
I've always have had greens grow quicker, but that's because they're cauldron species, which tend to grow quicker anyways. It depends on the tank.
I've always have had greens grow quicker, but that's because they're cauldron species, which tend to grow quicker anyways. It depends on the tank.