Inorganic removal using Phytoplankton

[DrBlueThumb]

Hi I am from canada and I come here looking for like minded people that would like to discuss inorganics in the reef and how phytoplankton may be able to reduce them and I would like to discuss the food web?

First question I have is do corals reduce inorganics in the water?

[saltydog]

First question I have is do corals reduce inorganics in the water?

Corals do uptake inorganic nutrients. Generally though, my guess is that they would generally be net producers of inorganc nutrients, but that is dependent on many variables e.g: ambient organic/inorganic nutrient levels, volume and type of corals, temperature, light....etc.

The idea of using Xenia as a filter was discussed a few times.

Chris

[DrBlueThumb]

Any others with a biology background? or that is well versed in biology, thanks for the reply I would like to ask alot of questions pertaining to the food web and the chance of phyto to reducei inorganic in the reef aquaria.

[DrBlueThumb]

nannochloropsis oculata

[saltydog]

Whats the question about Nanno???

[DrBlueThumb]

Nanno is the right size for sponges?

[DrBlueThumb]

Nanno is non motile and sticks to surfaces once settled?

[DrBlueThumb]

First question I have is do corals reduce inorganics in the water?

Corals do uptake inorganic nutrients. Generally though, my guess is that they would generally be net producers of inorganc nutrients, but that is dependent on many variables e.g: ambient organic/inorganic nutrient levels, volume and type of corals, temperature, light....etc.

The idea of using Xenia as a filter was discussed a few times.

Chris

Sorry missed the dicussion did they reduce organics and inorganics?

[saltydog]

Yes, non motile. Lots of microalgae will loosely stick to surfaces under different conditions.

Saying all sponges is like saying ALL corals! Each will likely have different feeding characteristics. I'd think in general sponges would uptake a micro algae like Nanno, but uptake does not always mean ingestion.
Optimum sponge growth would likely come from feeding on a variety (multiple types) of foods in the < 10um range


Chris

[saltydog]

Sorry missed the dicussion did they reduce organics and inorganics?

they would generally be net producers of inorganc nutrients