What are the pros and cons of marine plants?

[dynagirl]

I don't see many plants in reef aquariums...is there a reason why? Aren't they supposed to help reduce nitrates? Maybe just a matter of taste? :thinking:

 

[hapshot]

I know many of them lower nitrates and phosphates. Those are definately pros but some cons are that they reduce oxygen levels, they can spread fast and take over and that some people just plain out don't like the looks of them.

 

[dragonboy]

Also some are known to produce toxin when they are reproduce which are harmful to corals.

 

[hapshot]

Yeah but those are only certain varieties. Were talking just about non-toxic plants.

 

[lionfish1]

Most people put these plants in there fuges so you don't see them.

 

[dynagirl]

Personally I like the looks of some of them....What is the deal with reducing oxygen levels? I thought plants produced oxygen?

 

[ophiura]

The both use and produce oxygen.
But the general problem is overgrowth.
There are very very very few "true" plants for a marine tank. Most are algae. And they can grow extremely fast from even very small pieces. I have some slower growing forms, but fast growth can really overwhelm the tank.

 

[dogstar]

You dont see them in most tanks because alot of common fish and other species eat them a lot faster than they can grow. I would love to have a few spots with macros in my DT. But with Tangs and Angles ect. I cant. Nothing wrong with haveing them if you can but yes, many do grow fast if there is no predetors to keep them in check.

 

[moneyman]

Originally Posted by dynagirl
Personally I like the looks of some of them....What is the deal with reducing oxygen levels? I thought plants produced oxygen?
They do produce oxygen.
Plants, like many living organism, use oxygen. During photosynthesis, plants produce more oxygen than they intake. During the night, no oxygen is produced but their cell structures and bio functions still require oxygen.

 

[hapshot]

ALso it would look kind of out of wack if you saw a nice reef tank and then all of a sudden you see an underwater rainforest. haha.

 

[zman1]

Actually they convert Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to oxygen during photosynthesis. At night when lights are off they stop the photo process and the CO2 levels increase and have a lowering effect on pH. This is why some folks run fuge lights on the opposite schedule of the DT. That is for Plants, Algae and Corals (Algae)...

 

[celacanthr]

Originally Posted by Hapshot
ALso it would look kind of out of wack if you saw a nice reef tank and then all of a sudden you see an underwater rainforest. haha.
Well, actually it is very common to see reefs, with patches of macroalgaes right next to, and sometimes even in the reef itself.

 

[chadman]

yesturday i pickedup a clump of chaulpera and stuck it in the back corner behind rocks and stuff in my main tank...as long as i keep an eye on it and cut it back if it starts overtaking things do u think this will benefit my tank? i don't have a fuge or else i'd put it in there

 

[chadman]

anybody? is this good or bad for a reef tank?