Tech-M's Magic Bryopsis killing ingredient: Lithium

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

So is lithium the secret ingredient that kills Bry or not?

JimWelsh · Sep 28, 2016

stevo01 said:
So is lithium the secret ingredient that kills Bry or not?

Dunno yet. I've tried a few times to get someone to send me some Bryopsis, but that still has not happened yet. If someone would ship me some Bryopsis, I'd be happy to conduct a little experiment. I have a container of lithium chloride I've purchased just for this project.

revhtree · Sep 28, 2016

JimWelsh said:
Dunno yet. I've tried a few times to get someone to send me some Bryopsis, but that still has not happened yet. If someone would ship me some Bryopsis, I'd be happy to conduct a little experiment. I have a container of lithium chloride I've purchased just for this project.

I hope someone takes you up on that offer so you can post your results for us!

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

JimWelsh said:
Dunno yet. I've tried a few times to get someone to send me some Bryopsis, but that still has not happened yet. If someone would ship me some Bryopsis, I'd be happy to conduct a little experiment. I have a container of lithium chloride I've purchased just for this project.

I will supply the Bryopsis good sir! I'll be following up with a PM to you.

mcarroll · Sep 28, 2016

Interesting that LiCl is used on seaweeds in DNA/RNA extraction.
(mentioned...) http://www.ijcmas.com/vol-4-10/S. Mumtaj.pdf

FarmerTy · Sep 28, 2016

I've used my leftover Tech M to dose up Mg the past two years. My lithium was 4,079 ppb last year. No vanadium detection. I sent off another Triton sample this year for my annual test. I'll update with that level when I have it.

Tank seems fine.

mcarroll · Sep 28, 2016

http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/44432/StevensPatricia1975.pdf

Interesting they seem to be using LiCl to break down algal cell walls here.

I don't know if/how it's related, but they do mention that Bryopsis and Caulerpa are unique (among their samples?) for having xylan as the major structural polysaccharide. (vs. cellulose or some combination)

See post #84, #106 and #121 for the complete story....this wasn't a good link, but found one later!!!

Updated 10/23: @Rick.45cal@Kungpaoshizi @Sabellafella

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

FarmerTy said:
I've used my leftover Tech M to dose up Mg the past two years. My lithium was 4,079 ppb last year. No vanadium detection. I sent off another Triton sample this year for my annual test. I'll update with that level when I have it.

Tank seems fine.

That's a beautiful tank friend!

FarmerTy · Sep 28, 2016

stevo01 said:
That's a beautiful tank friend!

Thank you Stevo! [emoji106]

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

I've got plenty Bryopsis to go around, and I'm willing to ship to anyone that wants to help out. Hit me up, it's on my dime!

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

What role does O2 have in Bryopsis growth? It seems like the places that have the highest flow rate in my tank have the highest Bryopsis growth rate as well. Is this just a coincidence, or does oxygen rich environment cause Bryopsis to grow more?

FarmerTy · Sep 28, 2016

stevo01 said:
What role does O2 have in Bryopsis growth? It seems like the places that have the highest flow rate in my tank have the highest Bryopsis growth rate as well. Is this just a coincidence, or does oxygen rich environment cause Bryopsis to grow more?

Interesting observation. When I had it in my old system, it would mainly populate on sump baffles or overflows where the highest flow/aeration occurred in my tank.

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

FarmerTy said:
Interesting observation. When I had it in my old system, it would mainly populate on sump baffles or overflows where the highest flow/aeration occurred in my tank.

Indeed!

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

I'm thinking I use more flow than what's considered normal in my 20g. I have a 800gph powerhead, and 525gph canister filter. Both run all the time except when I feed.

Salty1962 · Sep 28, 2016

Following

dgrigor02 · Sep 28, 2016

stevo01 said:
What role does O2 have in Bryopsis growth? It seems like the places that have the highest flow rate in my tank have the highest Bryopsis growth rate as well. Is this just a coincidence, or does oxygen rich environment cause Bryopsis to grow more?

Back when Julian Sprung spoke at our club about 10 years or so ago on algae. He suggested it likes higher flow not so much from Carbon Dioxide or Oxygen levels as you mention but the higher the flow the more dissolved nutrients and trace elements such as iron/zinc/molybdenum and whatever other elements they need . Just like algae in a stream would when nutrients are scarce.

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

dgrigor02 said:
Back when Julian Sprung spoke at our club about 10 years or so ago on algae. He suggested it likes higher flow not so much from Carbon Dioxide or Oxygen levels as you mention but the higher the flow the more dissolved nutrients and trace elements such as iron/zinc/molybdenum and whatever other elements they need . Just like algae in a stream would when nutrients are scarce.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense!

stevo01 · Oct 2, 2016

Bagged and shipping out tomorrow @JimWelsh

revhtree · Oct 3, 2016

FarmerTy said:
I've used my leftover Tech M to dose up Mg the past two years. My lithium was 4,079 ppb last year. No vanadium detection. I sent off another Triton sample this year for my annual test. I'll update with that level when I have it.

Tank seems fine.

I don't know. Your tank looks a little a rough... HAHA!