start up, when to add macroalg to sump?

[MDT]

Wouldn't the macro in the sump help remove some toxins when setting up? I have had an ammonia spike from the mail order LR (around 0.8 with fast/sea test). Nitrite not going up yet.
Thanks, Mike

[Alice]

Hi Mike;

I'm not really sure. Macro can be rather sensitive at times, crashing due to salinity and other changes in tank parameters. If you can get it for free or cheap, I think it would be worth a try. That's why we use the stuff after all But if you have to pay a small fortune ordering it online with shipping, I'd wait until things are a little more stable.

Alice

[tdwyatt]

...posted by Mike...
Wouldn't the macro in the sump help remove some toxins when setting up? I have had an ammonia spike from the mail order LR (around 0.8 with fast/sea test). Nitrite not going up yet...

Most macroalgae cannot utilize ammonia or ammonium per se, but require that the ammonia be converted to nitrate prior to their uptake by macroalgae. Although there are macroalgae that have the ability to utilize ammonia and its ions directly, most macroalgae require that the nitrogen be in the form of nitrate, I looked for some definitive references, couldn't find much as to speciation or mariculture info using ammonia as the source of nitrogen, but I did find this interesting macroalgae mariculture site for Porphyra spp. (Nori). The use of the shells suspended on ropes in sumps may be a key to increasing space utilization in home aquaria...

HTH

[Jimbo]

Hi, I used to have Moe's book systems and Invertibrates and I remember that he said that macro algea (calurpa) takes up ammonium readily. Also remember that he talked about light saturation levels for different types of macro algea. If someone still has this book could you verify this, I know it is older but still good stuff there. I plan on getting another copy of it soon.

Have a great day!

[tdwyatt]

Hmmmmm.... interesting...

"The Marine Aquarium Reference --Systems and Invertebrates", Martin A Moe, Jr., 1989. pp107-108...

...many macroalgae assimilate nitrogen in the form of ammonia rather than nitrite or nitrate, and elevated nitrate levels are generally dterimental. Lack of CO2 in the water may also cause dieback, but more likely may bring on sexual reproduction activity or retard growth. Conditions that occur periodically and retard growth are often indicated in patterns of uneven growth displayed by the algae. A high redox potential is important, and decrease in redox potential and pH indicates accumulation of organics that can trigger dieback. A partial water change is also usually beneficial when growth problems are evident..."

a bit of an unexpected source, but in the text. I will try and followup on this, as it does not fit some of my current thought on macroalgal growth. I may have to stand corrected! I am not sure if this is dated material (as I couldn't find any info to support or repute the statement), but I will check with some of the standards on the physiology of macroalgae.

More later, either way.

[MDT]

I guess many will say consider the source, but the ecosystem setup (miraculous mud) says add caulerpa in the 2nd week.