more micor alge less nitrates? (1 Viewer)

[arthur08]

i was wondering if the more micro u have or plants such as mangroves,cheato, feather caulupera,....ect will ur tank be cleaner or at least nitrates, would it make more sense to have aBIG refugium? i have aproblem keeping my nitrates down dont seem to bother or kill any of my corals but jw if getting a big container of plants lmk whaat you think

 

[steveb]

micro algae, macro algae, mangroves are all consumers of nitrate and phosphate. They each work to varying degree's.

The bigger the refugium the better. Not just for nutrient uptake but also as a place that produces copepods/amphipods for your tank.


Algal Turf Scrubber - uses micro (hair) algae

Refugium typically employs macro algae's such as Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha, or plants like Mangroves, turtle grass etc.

I would go with a big container of caulerpa or chaetomorpha.

 

[arthur08]

thanks steve thats the two that i have

 

[Tempset]

I agree with steveb

 

[Diesel]

Also try to figure out why you have a high level of Nitrates or Phosphate.