amphipod Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 So as you are probably somewhat familiar with, I grow aiptasia for fun. But a couple weeks ago disaster struck, a plant pot with fresh fertilized soil and some wierd plant I grew from a fruit that i ate several months ago fell in my aquarium while I was gone, I came to seeing that and promptly removed the live rock and put it in a spare aquarium to preserve my specimens from the potential toxic effects of the high nitrogen fertilizer. I couldn't get the real small aiptasia to leave the gravel so I basically said "sucks for you little guys" then I noticed they have been growing faster than all the other aiptasia, could by any chance the fertilizer have accelerated their growth in any way? Link to comment
CronicReefer Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Possibly. It is hard to say because I doubt anyone has done this as an experiment. I know aiptasia grows better in dirty water than clean. Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 I've noticed faster growth in dirty water, but at a point they wander and leave dozens of young, same thing if you hurt them Link to comment
CronicReefer Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Yes I'm trying to get a berghia nudi for this reason. Aiptasia X works but is no cure. Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 TRy letting them get bigger and then you shouldn't have any small ones unless they are continually disturbed and therefore reproducing Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 Since the fertilizer assumably affected aiptasia growth positively, could it affect other more prized corals with a similar affect? Link to comment
frankdr Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I'm not sure about what else is in the fertilizer, but the nitrate in it might have helped. Some people who grow macro algae will dose Potassium Nitrate, which can cause major growth. Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 It was a mix of miracle grow all purpose and lawn fertilizer So yes lots of nitrates in the grass fertilizer Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 In that case I've discovered a good tactic for growing actually profitable corals faster than normal Just wondering now has anyone done a similar experiment? Link to comment
frankdr Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I've seen it done for Macro Algae, but not others. Set up an experiment and let us know the results Link to comment
bob115 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Well... considering most say high nitrates will brown sps out, I doubt this would be a profitable tactic, even if it did increase growth. That said, I've heard soft corals prefer 'dirtier' water than sps brown out at, so I guess it might be a valid tactic to grow zoanthids or stuff along those lines. Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 But the browning can be reversed under certain circumstances can it not? what about lps corals? I've realized that my aiptasia experimenting has some relevance to other corals so I'll keep telling of new experiments and how they work out. I've seen it done for Macro Algae, but not others. Set up an experiment and let us know the results I'll keep up with aiptasia experiments Link to comment
GHill762 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 there was a thread a while back started by member "subsea" that was about using fertilizer to fuel macros.. Link to comment
afyounie Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Macros are just another photosynthetic life form. I'm sure you could add ferts to a macro tank and see the growth explode, just like in planted aquaria. I don't add ferts to my planted tanks anymore because the growth is so explosive, its hard to keep up with the trimming back. Also you have to start CO2 injection to keep up with the amount of growth or else you limit the plants and they die. Just another balancing act like keeping coral. Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 What is used for co2 injections? Chemical Link to comment
GHill762 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 anything from cheap and easy diy co2 reactors to the more expensive tanks and regulators.. but that won't do anything for your aiptasia.. Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 How much fertilizer per gallon is used for macro algaes Link to comment
paulrw Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 How much fertilizer per gallon is used for macro algaes google " estimative index aquarium dosing " for fertilizer calculators. they're for freshwater planted aquariums but might be accurate for heavily planted macro algae marine tanks. here you go. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/15225-estimative-index-dosing-guide.html Link to comment
amphipod Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Thank you, so who owns stony coral which they would like to experiment fertilizer with? Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.