fuges trate chem question

jessp · 10/08/2006, 08:15 AM

are the trates that are absorbed by the macroalgae in my fuge measured in the tanks water chemistry. i.e. if i have a reading of phosphates or nitrates in the tank does that include the trates already absorbed by the algae?
thanks,
jess

jessp · 10/08/2006, 08:40 AM

^

Stipe · 10/08/2006, 08:43 AM

No, most people cannot get a reading on PO4 and NO3 because the algae and macroalgae has already consumed it and there for it is undetectable.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 10/08/2006, 08:55 AM

If macroalgae takes up nitrogen (as ammonia or nitrate), it is no longer present in the water itself.

jessp · 10/08/2006, 09:01 AM

thanks,
so is the nitrogen that is taken up now in a safer form, after it has been absorbed by the macroalgae? if it is not pruned often enough will it then leech back into the water? is it an undetectable form that can be dangerous?
thanks for any information
jess

Randy Holmes-Farley · 10/08/2006, 09:09 AM

Yes, it is a safe form when in macroalgae. If you do not ultimately remove the macroalgae, but leave it to die, then when it dies the problem algae and other organisms can get the nutrients it releases.

jessp · 10/08/2006, 09:25 AM

thanks a lot, that was very helpful and simple to understand.
thanks again,
jess

Randy Holmes-Farley · 10/08/2006, 09:44 AM

You're welcome.

Happy reefing.

10/08/2006, 08:15 AM	#1
jessp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 2,651	fuges trate chem question are the trates that are absorbed by the macroalgae in my fuge measured in the tanks water chemistry. i.e. if i have a reading of phosphates or nitrates in the tank does that include the trates already absorbed by the algae? thanks, jess

10/08/2006, 08:40 AM	#2
jessp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 2,651	^ __________________ i'm jess and i'm an addict! Current Tank Info: No tank at this time :(

10/08/2006, 08:43 AM	#3
Stipe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 234	No, most people cannot get a reading on PO4 and NO3 because the algae and macroalgae has already consumed it and there for it is undetectable. __________________ Stjepan P. "Detritus is NOT a Filter media" "Detritus is NOT a substrate type" "Detritus is NOT a pet" Current Tank Info: 80gal AGA and a 1 gal hexagon nano.

10/08/2006, 08:55 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	If macroalgae takes up nitrogen (as ammonia or nitrate), it is no longer present in the water itself. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

10/08/2006, 09:01 AM	#5
jessp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 2,651	thanks, so is the nitrogen that is taken up now in a safer form, after it has been absorbed by the macroalgae? if it is not pruned often enough will it then leech back into the water? is it an undetectable form that can be dangerous? thanks for any information jess __________________ i'm jess and i'm an addict! Current Tank Info: No tank at this time :(

10/08/2006, 09:09 AM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	Yes, it is a safe form when in macroalgae. If you do not ultimately remove the macroalgae, but leave it to die, then when it dies the problem algae and other organisms can get the nutrients it releases. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

10/08/2006, 09:25 AM	#7
jessp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 2,651	thanks a lot, that was very helpful and simple to understand. thanks again, jess __________________ i'm jess and i'm an addict! Current Tank Info: No tank at this time :(

10/08/2006, 09:44 AM	#8
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	You're welcome. Happy reefing. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef