Using algae to filter...

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P3R3

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 22, 2006
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Well I have been exploring all the possible avenues to removing nitrates in brackish water systems. From nitrate reactors, to mangrove filtration. One thing I didnt see much of anything on was using algae to reduce nitrates.

Heres my basic plan. Have a pump ~100 GPH come into a 5-10 gallon tank, since algae does not like high current, the inflow will be diffused by a sponge. Next the tank will be filled with course sponges to allow spots for algae growth. Then a powerhead will pump the water back up to the 55G. The tank will have a low color density 18" T8 on 24/7 to grow algae.

Do you think this might work?
 
Exactly, but adapted for growing brown (diodoms) algae instead of caulerpa. I would not be using a substrate, and would employ sponges as the medium for the algae. I have never seen a refugeum in brackish form. I know caulerpas and macroalgaes proven effectivness, but can the algae present in brackish conditons consume adequite nitrate?
 
Hakon said:
Some bioballs will house a lot of bacteria. They might help on nitrite/nitrate.
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Nitrate consuming bacteria are slow growers that need 0 oxygen in the water to propgate. Algae as we all know have no special requirements.
 
Do some research on algae turf scrubbers. Possibly the best filter there is. Since algae (and other plant life) preferes its nitrogen from ammonia than nitrate it will prevent a cycle happening (or being necessary).

ATS work in FW and SW, so I would assume they will work in brackish too. They remove so much waste from the water that skimmers that need emptying two ro three times a week in SW need emptying about once every 6 months.

There are some doubts about the compatability between ATS and SPS, but this will not be an issue in a brackish tank.
 
Alot of your algae carries diseaes too, they also rely on potassium, as well as nitrates. And it is best to run the refugium on opposite cycle from the aquarium. !2 on, 12 off. Your tank during best viewing hours, your refuge off peak hours. IDK if it will work, but possibly try spaghetti algea, it is very fast growing, and you just have to remove some to eliminate the nitrates, no cleaning of the ref necessary. I also reccomend a deep sand bend in the refugium.with sand stirrers.
 
i would say mangroves or put sheets of acrylic to make a row of v's parallel to the flow to provide more suface area that is iluminated.
 
yourmylunch said:
i would say mangroves or put sheets of acrylic to make a row of v's parallel to the flow to provide more suface area that is iluminated.
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The problem with mangroves is that they get ENORMOUS. I am not sure how well the "bonsai" technique is. On top of that I am not sure how well a "bonsai" mangrove can remove waste.
 
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