Re: RO water please advice ?
Algae have two forms. They first exist as spores, which might be analogous seeds in higher plants. Here is an example of algae spores. Pictured below isn't diatomic algae, but is a green water type of algae (Haematococcus pluvialis). When in this state, algae sample the environment waiting for the combination of environmental parameters that are suitable for it's growth. In this form, the algae is invisible and innocuous. They lay on the substrate, on the surface of plants, wherever the currents take them. We're not sure exactly what combination of parameters they read, but we do know that light is a primary parameter. If the spectral energy exceeds some value it triggers a physiological change.
Photo used by kind permission of Dennis Kunkel Microscopy.
This is the same species after the bloom. It is an entirely different form from the "seed" or spore. When the algae has bloomed into this form then all the available nutrients in the water are at it's disposal. Now the rules change. Now silicon, or Nitrogen or Phosphorous or whatever nutrition available is fair game. The more nutrients and light, the faster the growth, just as in higher plants.
Photo used by kind permission of Dennis Kunkel Microscopy.
The idea therefore is to prevent the transformation from the first form to the other. This is what many are having difficulty understanding. When diatom algae are in the form in the first photo it does not matter what the silicon, aluminum or Phosphorous levels are if the lighting is below a threshold level. Furthermore, if the lighting exceeds the trigger threshold the algae will bloom even if the silicon level is low.
Conversely, silicate levels by itself will not cause the algae to go from the form shown in photo 1 to the form in photo 2. However, if the spectral energy levels are high enough then the transformation will occur. In a similar way a higher plant must have certain conditions met under which it will transform from seed to seedling.
All of the data discussed in the articles you kindly provided are based on working with the diatomic form shown in photo 2. They are working with diatoms that have already bloomed.
In the same way, the PO4 levels in the tank cannot by itself cause PO4 related algae to bloom. However, if an algae is triggered into blooming, then the algae in form number 2 will feed on whatever PO4 it can get it's hands on. The Catch-22 is this; Plants need more Phosphorous than algae need, so it's folly to try to remove PO4 from the tank because you will only be hurting your plants. Keep the algae that is in photo 1 from triggering into the form in photo 2 by keeping the lighting reasonable and your plants will be able to use the PO4, but the algal spores will not care what the PO4 levels are. This is how a high light tank is kept in balance, not by trying to rid the tank of elements that are desperately needed by the very organisms that you are trying to grow.
Cheers,
Yes, I know, that's part of the problem, the confusion is based on a lack of understanding between causality and exacerbation.sWozzAres said:
Algae have two forms. They first exist as spores, which might be analogous seeds in higher plants. Here is an example of algae spores. Pictured below isn't diatomic algae, but is a green water type of algae (Haematococcus pluvialis). When in this state, algae sample the environment waiting for the combination of environmental parameters that are suitable for it's growth. In this form, the algae is invisible and innocuous. They lay on the substrate, on the surface of plants, wherever the currents take them. We're not sure exactly what combination of parameters they read, but we do know that light is a primary parameter. If the spectral energy exceeds some value it triggers a physiological change.
Photo used by kind permission of Dennis Kunkel Microscopy.
This is the same species after the bloom. It is an entirely different form from the "seed" or spore. When the algae has bloomed into this form then all the available nutrients in the water are at it's disposal. Now the rules change. Now silicon, or Nitrogen or Phosphorous or whatever nutrition available is fair game. The more nutrients and light, the faster the growth, just as in higher plants.
Photo used by kind permission of Dennis Kunkel Microscopy.
The idea therefore is to prevent the transformation from the first form to the other. This is what many are having difficulty understanding. When diatom algae are in the form in the first photo it does not matter what the silicon, aluminum or Phosphorous levels are if the lighting is below a threshold level. Furthermore, if the lighting exceeds the trigger threshold the algae will bloom even if the silicon level is low.
Conversely, silicate levels by itself will not cause the algae to go from the form shown in photo 1 to the form in photo 2. However, if the spectral energy levels are high enough then the transformation will occur. In a similar way a higher plant must have certain conditions met under which it will transform from seed to seedling.
All of the data discussed in the articles you kindly provided are based on working with the diatomic form shown in photo 2. They are working with diatoms that have already bloomed.
In the same way, the PO4 levels in the tank cannot by itself cause PO4 related algae to bloom. However, if an algae is triggered into blooming, then the algae in form number 2 will feed on whatever PO4 it can get it's hands on. The Catch-22 is this; Plants need more Phosphorous than algae need, so it's folly to try to remove PO4 from the tank because you will only be hurting your plants. Keep the algae that is in photo 1 from triggering into the form in photo 2 by keeping the lighting reasonable and your plants will be able to use the PO4, but the algal spores will not care what the PO4 levels are. This is how a high light tank is kept in balance, not by trying to rid the tank of elements that are desperately needed by the very organisms that you are trying to grow.
Yes I completely agree with this. Ratios in this sense are generally meaningless.sWozzAres said:
Cheers,
