Bioindicators

[Subsea]

@EnterName
While this thread was not intended to be limited to N as a bioindicator, at first light, I noted white tips on fast growing Caulerpa Paspoidies and dosed 30ml of ammonia into 100G system. Two hours later white tips disappeared and all new growth is emerald green.

On this same tank, yesterday, I received some ornamental sponges along with a red macro algae grab bag from GCE. Feed ports on orange sponge are opening, which is a good bioindicator of a feeding mechanism.

 

[EnterName]

@EnterName
While this thread was not intended to be limited to N as a bioindicator, at first light, I noted white tips on fast growing Caulerpa Paspoidies and dosed 30ml of ammonia into 100G system. Two hours later white tips disappeared and all new growth is emerald green.

On this same tank, yesterday, I received some ornamental sponges along with a red macro algae grab bag from GCE. Feed ports on orange sponge are opening, which is a good bioindicator of a feeding mechanism.

Did you test NO3 before?

 

[Subsea]

Did you test NO3 before?

NOPE. I did not put this in the experiment forum.

When I operated 10KG of mariculture in a greenhouse, I used regional agriculture lab to do testing on water and seaweed biomass.

It’s a theory of operation that has worked well for me.

 

[EnterName]

Did you test NO3 before?

NOPE. I did not put this in the experiment forum.

When I operated 10KG of mariculture in a greenhouse, I used regional agriculture lab to do testing on water and seaweed biomass.

It’s a theory of operation that has worked well for me.

All good, I was just curious

I'm looking at diatoms as a bio indicator at the moment, but sources for marine species are sparse.

 

[Subsea]

All good, I was just curious

I'm looking at diatoms as a bio indicator at the moment, but sources for marine species are sparse.

My ground water is high in silicates which makes maintaining sponges easier. Yes, diatoms are a companion and I have found most everybody in the micro invert world eats diatoms.

 

[Subsea]

My ground water is high in silicates which makes maintaining sponges easier. Yes, diatoms are a companion and I have found most everybody in the micro invert world eats diatoms.

When I googled it, I was amazed at who grazes on it. Phytoplankton & Diatoms as primary producers are at the bottom of this microbial food loop.

In the marine environment, diatoms are primarily eaten by zooplankton (especially copepods and krill) in the open ocean, and by various grazers, snails, and fish on benthic/reef surfaces. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Open Ocean (Pelagic) Consumers

• • Copepods: The main primary predators of oceanic diatoms, representing a massive portion of marine zooplankton biomass.
  • Krill and Small Crustaceans: Filter-feed heavily on planktonic diatoms drifting in the water column.
  • Shellfish and Bivalves: Clams, oysters, and mussels filter diatoms and fine phytoplankton out of the water. [1, 2]

Benthic and Saltwater Aquarium Consumers

• • Snails:
    • Cerith Snails (Cerithium species) – burrow in sand during the day and feed heavily on diatoms and detritus at night.
    • Banded Trochus Snails (Trochus niloticus) – scrape diatoms and film algae off rocks and glass.
    • Nerite Snails – graze on surface diatoms and film algae.
    • Turbo Snails (Turbo spp.) – consume diatoms alongside heavier green and hair algae. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • Fish:
    • Bristletooth Tangs (such as the Kole Tang or Chevron Tang) – use specialized bristle-like teeth to sweep diatoms and fine biofilms off hard surfaces.
    • Gobies and Blennies – ingest sand or nibble on surface layers containing diatoms.
    • Foxface Rabbitfish – graze on film algae and diatoms. [1, 2, 3]
  • Invertebrates & Sifters:
    • Hermit Crabs (such as blue-leg and red-leg hermit crabs)
    • Sand-sifting Sea Cucumbers and Conchs [1, 2, 3]