Ok so this may seem like a backwards question but I am trying find information on how high of phosphates can chaeto or calerpa handle? I was just curious if it had a maximum threshold it could withstand that is practical in aquaria before recession or death. Also trying to see if there is a point at which macro algae is considered futile and chemical means should be implemented such as a GFO reactor and aggressive water changes.
How of phosphates?
- Thread starter grove2nmb
- Start date
- Tagged users None
chipmunkofdoom2
Always Making Something
I'm not aware of a level where phosphates are so high that macroalgae can no longer be used. As long as conditions are favorable for macroalgae growth, the macro will continue to grow and use both phosphates and nitrates. If you notice that your phosphates are very high and the algae doesn't appear to growing or driving down the phosphates, you may be nitrate-limited. Get a quality nitrate test kit (Salifert is a decent choice) and test your nitrates. If they are zero, consider supplementing with a sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate additive. Since algae needs phosphate and nitrate to grow, if one is missing, it will stop growing and it won't reduce the other.
Chemical or absorption media like GFO are fine choices as well. Macro algae can also serve as your complete nutrient reduction solution, so long as you make sure it has the nutrients and conditions it needs to grow.
Chemical or absorption media like GFO are fine choices as well. Macro algae can also serve as your complete nutrient reduction solution, so long as you make sure it has the nutrients and conditions it needs to grow.
I understand the relationship of phosphate and nitrates, I currently have no issues with either it was just a general inquire if any of that information exists as an educational tool. I was asked the question by a fellow reefer if you can have to high of phosphates for macro to survive and I didn’t know and couldn’t find the answer.
mcarroll
10K Club member
There are some specific combinations of circumstances where a spike in nutrients could cause another nutrient to become unavailable, so yes there are indirect ways that you can have "too much phosphates".
But none specifically related to algae...or to corals, for that matter.
@Paul B's tank and the Steinhart Aquarium are my quick-draw examples I'd point out for tanks that run nutrient levels so high that it might seem hard to believe....if you weren't seeing them. So it's really helpful to see them!
But none specifically related to algae...or to corals, for that matter.
@Paul B's tank and the Steinhart Aquarium are my quick-draw examples I'd point out for tanks that run nutrient levels so high that it might seem hard to believe....if you weren't seeing them. So it's really helpful to see them!
chipmunkofdoom2
Always Making Something
The reason my previous post discussed the relationship of nitrates, phosphates, environment (flow, light) and macroalgae growth is because I was inferring there was more to the question than simply discussing theory. Very often when reefers are not able to successfully keep macroalgae, the question becomes why? If a reefer has high phosphates and they are unable to keep macroalgae, a conclusion may be incorrectly formed that the phosphates killed the macroalgae. While I don't know for certain how much phosphate is required to kill macroalgae, I'm sure it's many times (if not orders of magnitude) more than is required to kill fish and corals.
If the question is simply "could a high enough level of phosphates kill macroalgae," the answer is almost certainly yes. Almost all elements can be lethal at high enough concentrations, depending upon the organism and the environment. If the question is "could the high phosphates in my tank be killing my macroalgae," the answer is almost certainly no. Fish, inverts and corals would likely be dead long before phosphates were high enough to kill macroalgae.
mcarroll
10K Club member
After a little digging, the only evidence of phosphate toxicity I could find was in grasses like barley.
Apparently if they're first phosphate starved and then given access to a bunch of phosphate, they'll overload on it and the tips of the grass blades will dry out. Burt tips, if you will.
But still nothing catastrophic to the plant.
I didn't spend a long time looking, but I found nothing reefy or deadly about phosphate "overdose".
Apparently if they're first phosphate starved and then given access to a bunch of phosphate, they'll overload on it and the tips of the grass blades will dry out. Burt tips, if you will.
But still nothing catastrophic to the plant.I didn't spend a long time looking, but I found nothing reefy or deadly about phosphate "overdose".
