Brew12
Electrical Gru
My interest in this started when I learned about the Redfield Ratio where oceanic phytoplankton has a nitrogen to phosphorus ratio of 16:1. Unfortunately, I had no idea what to do with this knowledge so it was pretty worthless. Of course, I found out about this because of research I was doing to combat an algae problem.
I'll spare you guys the joys of my battle that took me from algae to cyanobacteria and from cyanobacteria into dinoflagellates. Through these battles I learned a lot about the role of nutrients in my tank. This is what I think I have found and how the N: P ratio can be used by reefers who aren't purposely running low nutrient systems.
A balanced and healthy system will have a N: P ratio of between 5:1 and 35:1
Non harmful marine bacteria with a typical N: P ratio of 50:1 so it will consume nitrates faster than phosphates. This is the bacteria whose growth is encouraged through carbon dosing. This means people who carbon dose are likely to need a phosphate reducer, also. Too much carbon dosing can lead to cyanobacteria.
Cyanobacteria has a N: P ratio of between 1:1 and 5:1. This gives it an ability to thrive in a low nitrate environment. To combat cyano, either add a phosphate remover or add nitrates.
Dinoflagellates have an N: P ratio that is all over the board. One thing they have in common is a high need for Nitrates. They have unique ways to acquire and store nitrates which does mess up the N: P ratio. If you do have them one possible way to combat them is dosing phosphates. Another option is to add silicates which will shift production from dino's to diatoms. Carbon dosing will be slow, but should also be effective.
If you have Cyano and/or Dino's and have detectable levels of both NO3 and PO4 I would suggest adding an Iron supplement. A reef tank will want to grow algae. If you have both nutrients the missing link may be the iron needed to support the algae growth. Especially if you have a system that was growing algae well and then tapered off.
Of course, most of us don't want algae growing in our tanks which is where a refugium or ATS comes into play. This is another complete topic but keep this in mind. Algae in your display tank is under high powered lights and will have high PAR. To grow the algae in your fuge instead you need more PUR either through spectrum, intensity, or distance.
I want to throw this out there for people to tear apart. Keep in mind that these are only my theories with some practical application in my own limited experience. Please don't take this as settled science!
I'll spare you guys the joys of my battle that took me from algae to cyanobacteria and from cyanobacteria into dinoflagellates. Through these battles I learned a lot about the role of nutrients in my tank. This is what I think I have found and how the N: P ratio can be used by reefers who aren't purposely running low nutrient systems.
A balanced and healthy system will have a N: P ratio of between 5:1 and 35:1
Non harmful marine bacteria with a typical N: P ratio of 50:1 so it will consume nitrates faster than phosphates. This is the bacteria whose growth is encouraged through carbon dosing. This means people who carbon dose are likely to need a phosphate reducer, also. Too much carbon dosing can lead to cyanobacteria.
Cyanobacteria has a N: P ratio of between 1:1 and 5:1. This gives it an ability to thrive in a low nitrate environment. To combat cyano, either add a phosphate remover or add nitrates.
Dinoflagellates have an N: P ratio that is all over the board. One thing they have in common is a high need for Nitrates. They have unique ways to acquire and store nitrates which does mess up the N: P ratio. If you do have them one possible way to combat them is dosing phosphates. Another option is to add silicates which will shift production from dino's to diatoms. Carbon dosing will be slow, but should also be effective.
If you have Cyano and/or Dino's and have detectable levels of both NO3 and PO4 I would suggest adding an Iron supplement. A reef tank will want to grow algae. If you have both nutrients the missing link may be the iron needed to support the algae growth. Especially if you have a system that was growing algae well and then tapered off.
Of course, most of us don't want algae growing in our tanks which is where a refugium or ATS comes into play. This is another complete topic but keep this in mind. Algae in your display tank is under high powered lights and will have high PAR. To grow the algae in your fuge instead you need more PUR either through spectrum, intensity, or distance.
I want to throw this out there for people to tear apart. Keep in mind that these are only my theories with some practical application in my own limited experience. Please don't take this as settled science!
