What happens to Nitrates that Chaeto absorbs?

[RaymondL]

When Chaeto, or any macro algae for that matter takes in all the nitrates and phosphates, does it reach a point of saturation that it can't uptake any more? Therefore, is there a point in time where the macro algae no longer effective?

For example, in a refugium full of chaeto, what happens if it absorbs all the nitrates and phosphates from the tank?

 

[Rovert]

When Chaeto, or any macro algae for that matter takes in all the nitrates and phosphates, does it reach a point of saturation that it can't uptake any more? Therefore, is there a point in time where the macro algae no longer effective?

For example, in a refugium full of chaeto, what happens if it absorbs all the nitrates and phosphates from the tank?

Not sure, but it would seem to me that if a macroalgae absorbs nutrients, it's for growth, so as the 'colony' becomes larger, harvesting and removing will take the excess nutrients along with it. As you remove one portion, the remaining amount continues to grow to take the place of what's been removed. Interested to hear other viewpoints, though...

 

[Garf]

Not sure, but it would seem to me that if a macroalgae absorbs nutrients, it's for growth, so as the 'colony' becomes larger, harvesting and removing will take the excess nutrients along with it. As you remove one portion, the remaining amount continues to grow to take the place of what's been removed. Interested to hear other viewpoints, though...

Just about covers it. Algae also release about 10% (in normal circumstances) in exudates because they are evil and like to complicate matters.

 

[RaymondL]

Not sure, but it would seem to me that if a macroalgae absorbs nutrients, it's for growth, so as the 'colony' becomes larger, harvesting and removing will take the excess nutrients along with it. As you remove one portion, the remaining amount continues to grow to take the place of what's been removed. Interested to hear other viewpoints, though...

That makes sense.....so the chaeto continues to use what it absorbs to grow - as long as the growth rate is faster than what it absorbs, then one can expect that nitrates will remain low.