Macroalgae Nitrate Export

Gaffer · #1 07-15-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bioload

Not sure myself, and more test would be required, but there may be negative effects of running macroalgae lighting 24/7.

No too sure, but I run mine 24/7 in my sump & there have been no ill effects.

Many people run it 24/7, but many have switched to alternate lighting to the main tank in an effort to control pH swings created by CO2 caused by respiration of the macros.

I suspect the changes in water chemistry you are seeing from the closed system you have running there. It could be that the pods etc dieing as Mega suggested, or the cheato could be dieing as a result of a lack of nutrients and increased photocylce.

Andrew

Sunee · #2 07-15-2010, 04:14 PM

One possibility is that there is inadequate CO2 to support photosynthesis with 24/7 lighting in your system. You could try changing to 18 hours light or increase flow to your algae tank which would hopefully increase the CO2 supply.

You could try many things but the important thing is that it works for you. Great test, I found it very interesting!

bioload · #3 07-16-2010, 04:24 PM

Did a couple test with the API test kit and it would appear that the result may vary greatly depending on solution #2, which need to be shaken for 30 seconds before use.

The vial on the right was not, and the result indicates 0.

Greenmaster · #4 07-17-2010, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bioload

Did a couple test with the API test kit and it would appear that the result may vary greatly depending on solution #2, which need to be shaken for 30 seconds before use.

If you have been using it a lot without shaking then your test solution will not be the right chemistry anymore and you may want to get a new test so you will have more accurate results... It will still give you a yes/no but it will say that the concentration of the nitrates is higher then actual.

bioload · #5 07-17-2010, 11:49 PM

Little did I know that when I added my air diffuser I would turn my algae into a rotisserie.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUrbaAiBFoo[/youtube]

Funky_Fish14 · #6 07-18-2010, 12:41 AM

Haha, that looks awesome. Its so perfect.

Thats also the best way to ensure distribution of nutrients and exposure of all the algae's surfaces to the light. Algae should be rotated, partiularly cheato, which functions better under rotation.

Plants do need a 'shut-down' time from photosynthesis (all true plants do). During that time they (most) engage in cellular respiration (like animals), and also exchange nutrients, etc... If you put a cactus plant in 24hr light, I can tell you right away it will die as it's stomata ('pores') will be closed and it will not correctly exchange nutrients. So I agree with the prior suggestions, maybe you want to try at least 6hrs off (with your light), and see how that does.

Thanks for sharing!

Chris