corallimorphs/xenia vs. nutrients

[rygar126]

is it true that corallimorphs and xenia eat up nutients thus reducing the ammonia/nitrite/nitrates? if so, is their ability to suck up nutrients more than their waste output, therefore beneficial to have an abundance of?

[lgreen]

i have never herd that before, i doubt it.

 

specifically not nitrogenous waste such as ammonia, nitrite, or ammonia.

[MrAnderson]

Originally posted by rygar126

is it true that corallimorphs and xenia eat up nutients thus reducing the ammonia/nitrite/nitrates? if so, is their ability to suck up nutrients more than their waste output, therefore beneficial to have an abundance of?

 

Xenia do export significant quantities of nitrogenous compounds including ammonia. This has been quantified to some degree in various studies. An easy read is here:

 

Down The Drain, Exports from Reef Aquaria

 

Table 5 provides the salient data points. The methods section is a bit sketchy for my taste, however the I've seen Xenia data correlated elsewhere so I believe it.

[rygar126]

so xenia is good removing organics in the tank right?

[lgreen]

well mranderson has primary lit so i believe him.

 

thanks, i guess i learned something new today.

[artarmon42]

Interesting article.

Thanks for the education, MrAnderson!