So you will be running it through your tank... and keeping us posted as to your levels right :D

Still going to be a closed system for know. Just interested in seeing how 24/7 lighting would compare to the previous 3 days using indirect sunlight, and will keep everyone posted.

nice :biggrin:

You're right, no nitrate no growth and no phosphate uptake. Actually this applies to any nutrient, if one of the elements essential for growth is not available the plant stops growing.

I have 0 detectible nitrates in my tank and lots of microalgae. Cheato, caulerpa (3 types) and when the nitrates are lower they grow slower, when there is more feeding and nitrates rise (still test at 0 on my tests) then I can see the caulerpa have quick and fast growth.

It just keep my aquarium without any detectible level of nitrates in the water and when the caulerpa grow too much I just prune it. I have some leave of caulerpa that are around 9 inches long now :)

Awsome tread, tagging along.

Here are the Day 1 results with 24 hour lighting.

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2662.jpg
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2663.jpg

I think I night have mixed up my samples earlier today, and the previous nitrate test does not seem to be accurate.

Here is what I just tested
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2664.jpg

Wow look at the diff a cheep light and some circulation made :D
Did you do the phosphates right though?

Phosphates are easily removed with ferric oxide though, and maybe it is more efficient than micro algae to remove phosphates?