Xenias Good for Nitrate Removal?

[blutang]

I was in a discussion with Bang Guy last night, and he said that Xenias can help reduce nitrate levels in an aquarium. Has anyone ever done this, and how much of a success level have you seen?

 

[mlm]

They may filter some of the nutrients from the water but by no means will the bring down your nitrates if you have a nitrate problem.

 

[blutang]

Anyone else ever used this method?

 

[sinner's girl]

no comment on using that method...just a question
do you know the cause of your high nitrates? it might be easier to solve the problem if you know the source. wc also will help

 

[nm reef]

I have no hands on experience with using xenia for excess nutrient removal...but I have heard of people doing it. Seems to work from what I've heard.....and it actually makes sense if you have the proper conditions to grow them ...harvest them...and replace the removed sections quick enough. I read somewhere about a refugium type system that was heavily populated with xenia under intense light...the purpose was the same as caulperas.....grow them to consume excess nutrients then harvest them for export of the consumed nutrients.
That said it just seems easier to accompolish the same goal via caulperas.

 

[bang guy]

According to a very recent study captive raised Xenia has about 20X more Nitrogen content as Caulerpa racemosa per gram. This study is not scheduled to be released until late this year... I just have an advance copy
That would be the only reason to use Xenia over Caulerpa. If space was the limiting factor. A 5 gallon Xenia tank could theoretically export the same amount of Nitrogen as a 100 gal using C. racemosa.
Remember I said "theoretically".
I bring this up because most people with refugiums under their stand are very limited by space.
Guy

 

[blutang]

Thank you Bang Guy, that has definitely made up my decision about Xenia's I'll probably be getting some soon.

 

[bang guy]

The study only included common export mechanisms. Caulerpa, Skimmate, the sludge from inside Skimmer, Xenia, and Sarcophyton.
I agree that ANY living organism can become a nitrate remover under two circumstances: It must consume more nitrogen than it produces and it must be harvested (removed from the tank)
I've seen nitrate filters comprised completely of Tridacna maxima clams.