Macroalgae Nitrate Export

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by bioload

Hi Sunee, I wonder if the uptake of phosphates would increase if there was no Nitrate present?

I doubt it. Plants consume Nitrates as plant food, so no nitrates would mean your macroalgae would have a very hard time, NOT that your phosphate uptake would increase.

[Doug]

FWIW, when I ran my turf scrubber, {turf algae}, on my 225g, there was never any nitrate or phosphate that was measurable by me. The turf algae seemed to be very good at removing phosphate.

[Sunee]

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

I doubt it. Plants consume Nitrates as plant food, so no nitrates would mean your macroalgae would have a very hard time, NOT that your phosphate uptake would increase.

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.

[daniella3d]

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

Originally Posted by Sunee

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.

[belzebuth]

Awsome tread, tagging along.

[bioload]

Here are the Day 1 results with 24 hour lighting.

[bioload]

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

[Greenmaster]

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