Nutrient Management by “Old School” Reefer

[Subsea]

Nutrient management from my point of view entails more about nutrient recycling and moving carbon up the food chain with live food beginning with detrivore larvae as a source of that carbon..

I can recall laying on my stomach with 2 yr old grandson using magnifying glass with led light to see the “little people” in mud/macro refugium.


I have a theory about nutrient export using algae. Algae will absorb nutrients in the ratio that they are in the water. In cases like iron, macro algae will store up excess for when times are lean with iron. This iron storage is well documented in both land and marine plants. I can document it with respect to Gracilaria Hayi.

I bring in a lot of minerals with well water at 1000 TDS. I know I remove many minerals with macro that has concentrated minerals from the water. The most surprising example was copper which tested at 2 ppm in Red Ogo but bulk water showed < 100 ppb or 0.01 ppm which was test sensitivity level. Concentration ratio of copper from bulk water to algae dry mass was 200:1

My theory,
Because macro concentrates minerals in the water I use macro in the place of partial water change. In the case of copper, the concentration ratio was 200:1. The copper in well water makeup was below sensitivity level of the test so at most 0.01 ppm and dry analysis of macro was 2ppm. So, aggressively grow seaweed and harvest it.

 

[BTimms]

So, moderated numbers of Sponges=good in reef aquariums?

 

[Subsea]

So, moderated numbers of Sponges=good in reef aquariums?

Sponges provide food for everyone. Dutch researchers have shown that sponges should double their biomass every 6 hours considering volume consumed of POM (Particulate Organic Matter), includes bacteria,

Several Drawf Angels graze lightly on sponges as do Hippo Tang. Algae Blenny is most aggressive grazer but even with him, I never see damage on sponges.

 

[BTimms]

Sponges provide food for everyone. Dutch researchers have shown that sponges should double their biomass every 6 hours considering volume consumed of POM (Particulate Organic Matter), includes bacteria,
Several Drawf Angels graze lightly on sponges as do Hippo Tang. Algae Blenny is most aggressive grazer but even with him, I never see damage on sponges.

Wonderful info. This has convinced me to leave my sponges in the system. I wonder why some reefer warm against them?

 

[Subsea]

Of recent, I have focused on trace minerals using ChaetoGrow. I perceive I have bound phosphate because of persistent slight Cynobacteria. In feeding ammonia, explosive macro growth is obtained thereby up taking phosphate in a ratio with nitrogen of 30:1. However, just as, if not more important, is the fact that macro uptakes everything in the water.

Dry analysis of Gracilaria Parvispora 6/6/4014
N @ 2.59%
P@ 0.082%
K@ 13.54%
Ca@ 0.555%
Mg@ 1.163%
S@ 4.81%
Zn @ 139 ppm
Fe @ 107 ppm
Mn @ 20 ppm
Cu @ 7 ppm

 

[Subsea]

Wonderful info. This has convinced me to leave my sponges in the system. I wonder why some reefer warm against them?

As with many things, there are some that warn about many things. I will try not to let them influence me with those fears.

Knowledge replaces ignorance.

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Summary
[Corals and macroalgae release large quantities of dissolved organic matter (DOM), one of the largest sources of organic matter produced on coral reefs. By rapidly taking up DOM and transforming it into particulate detritus, coral reef sponges are proposed to play a key role in transferring the energy and nutrients in DOM to higher trophic levels via the recently discovered sponge loop. DOM released by corals and algae differs in quality and composition, but the influence of these different DOM sources on recycling by the sponge loop has not been investigated.
Here, we used stable isotope pulse‐chase experiments to compare the processing of naturally sourced coral‐ and algal‐derived DOM by three Red Sea coral reef sponge species: Chondrilla sacciformis, Hemimycale arabica and Mycale fistulifera. Incubation experiments were conducted to trace 13C‐ and 15N‐enriched coral‐ and algal‐derived DOM into the sponge tissue and detritus. Incorporation of 13C into specific phospholipid‐derived fatty acids (PLFAs) was used to differentiate DOM assimilation within the sponge holobiont (i.e. the sponge host vs. its associated bacteria).]
[All sponges assimilated both coral‐ and algal‐derived DOM, but incorporation rates were significantly higher for algal‐derived DOM. The two DOM sources were also processed differently by the sponge holobiont. Algal‐derived DOM was incorporated into bacteria‐specific PLFAs at a higher rate while coral‐derived DOM was more readily incorporated into sponge‐specific PLFAs. A substantial fraction of the dissolved organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) assimilated by the sponges was subsequently converted into and released as particulate detritus (15–24% C and 27–49% N). However, algal‐derived DOM was released as detritus at a higher rate.
The higher uptake and transformation rates of algal‐ compared with coral‐derived DOM suggest that reef community phase shifts from coral to algal dominance may stimulate DOM cycling through the sponge loop with potential consequences for coral reef biogeochemical cycles and food webs.]

 

[Subsea]

Sponge symbionts and the marine P cycle

Marine sponges are ubiquitous colonizers of shallow, clear-water environments in the oceans (1, 2). Sponges have emerged as significant mediators of biogeochemical fluxes in coastal zones by virtue of respiring organic matter and facilitating both the consumption and release of nutrients (3, 4)...

www.pnas.org

Marine sponges are ubiquitous colonizers of shallow, clear-water environments in the oceans (1, 2). Sponges have emerged as significant mediators of biogeochemical fluxes in coastal zones by virtue of respiring organic matter and facilitating both the consumption and release of nutrients (3, 4). Sponges gain their nutrition through filtering out plankton and organic detritus and through uptake of dissolved organic matter from seawater (4). Many species host diverse microbial symbiont communities that contribute to digestion and nutrient release from the filtered organics, and in some species cyanobacterial symbionts can supply fresh photosynthate to meet a substantial fraction of the sponge energy requirements (5). In PNAS, Zhang et al. (6) reveal a major and heretofore unknown role for sponges with regard to the marine phosphorus cycle. The authors present strong evidence for polyphosphate (poly-P) production and storage by sponge endosymbionts. Zhang et al. also may have detected apatite, a calcium phosphate mineral, in sponge tissue. This work has major implications for our understanding of nutrient cycling in reef environments, the roles played by microbial endosymbiont communities in general, and aspects of P cycling on geologic timescales.

Reef ecosystems harbor some of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity in the marine environment (7). This diversity is supported in part by gross rates of photosynthesis that can approach those of tropical rainforests (8, 9). However, reefs persist in extremely low nutrient environments and show little net production of organic matter. Sponges have proven to be key players in facilitating this rapid treadmill of photosynthetic and respiratory turnover of carbon (4).

Sponges are major biogeochemical agents by virtue of their abundance coupled with the large volumes of water they process (Fig. 1), many species in excess of 10,000 body volumes of seawater per day (11, 12). Sponges metabolize a significant fraction of reef primary production (4) and also return organic carbon to the reef environment through shedding of cellular materials, which are rapidly consumed by detritivores (13).

 

[JayinToronto]

Great thread Subsea. Thank you for all the information and studies to back it up.

 

[Subsea]

My theory,
Because macro concentrates minerals in the water I use macro in the place of partial water change. In the case of copper, the concentration ratio was 200:1. The copper in well water makeup was below sensitivity level of the test so at most 0.01 ppm and dry analysis of macro was 2ppm. So, aggressively grow seaweed and harvest it.

Great thread Subsea. Thank you for all the information and studies to back it up.

No doubt there are many successful ways to operate a marine aquarium. When I moved into my first home, I incorporated 150G in house display tank with 1500G extended refugiums and shallow frag tanks In my garage.

At that time, I was working as a Subsea Engineer for Transocean drilling on a 28 days on / 28 days off work schedule. With no automation & no commitment from my significant partner and no internet, refugiums were designed to feed display during absence of 28 days. With a system of easy colorful softies, in 40 years, I saw no reason to get excessive equipment to have success at Reefing.

 

[Subsea]

Nutrient management comes in many flavors. Today it is a 150G Rubbermade tub with Mag 12 pump. A 55G polyethylene barrel is mixing tank for makeup water. I am presently curing 75lbs of diver collected rock from Gulf of Mexico collected in 30’ of water 30 miles west of Tampa.

I never agreed with the EPA mantra of “dilution is the solution to pollution”. Instead a 75G 25yr mature system and a 120G 4yr mature system will remove nitrate buildup in 55G tank with 75lbs of diver collected uncured live rock.

 

[Pkunk35]

Beautiful!

 

[Subsea]

Beautiful!

Thank you.

Lighting on this tank consist of natural sunlight from two 2’ by 4’ windows facing
NE & NW. LED light bars bring in 190W of 3W diodes.

 

[Subsea]

Nutrient management using seaweed:

I like ornamental macros in my display tank, so I limited aggressive herbivores and used black mollies & pods. To maximize diversity, I am curing 75lbs of diver collected live rock from Gulf of Mexico in 30’ of water.

Previous to introduction of live rock, I cultivated a meadow of Caulerpa Prolifer. With 50lbs of live sand came my favorite display caulerpa, C Paspoide. Live Rock was collected in high nutrient near the Sponge Fleet at Tarpon Springs, Florida.

 

[Subsea]

Nutrient management using snails and hermits to clean off live rock. Or is that good business management to contract the work to specialist.

 

[Subsea]

Let’s talk Cryptic Sponges and DOC

Lets park here for a bit. DOC IS COMPLICATED and it’s difficult to measure. Reef aquarium carbon dosing adds doc to grow bacteria to be removed by protein skimming as a form of nutrient export. I prefer the microbial loop to recycle carbon up the food chain. Protein skimming remove free swimming components of the microbial loop, that’s why I don’t use it.

In the last 5 years, I converted a 25 yr mature 30G EcoSystem mud/macro refugium into a Cryptic Refugium and a 25 yr mature 75G dsb Jaubert plenum into a 2” deep reverse flow undergravel filter with a cryptic void refugium.

PS: @dvgyfresh
Read the link on cryptic sponges and you will better understand DOC & DOM (reef snow).

Surviving in a Marine Desert: The Sponge Loop Retains Resources Within Coral Reefs | Science

Sponge Pump​

“Darwin's Paradox” asks how productive and diverse ecosystems like coral reefs thrive in the marine equivalent of a desert. De Goeij et al.(p. 108) now show that coral reef sponges are part of a highly efficient recycling pathway for dissolved organic matter (DOM), converting it, via rapid sponge-cell turnover, into cellular detritus that becomes food for reef consumers. DOM transfer through the sponge loop approaches the gross primary production rates required for the entire coral reef ecosystem.

Abstract​

Ever since Darwin’s early descriptions of coral reefs, scientists have debated how one of the world’s most productive and diverse ecosystems can thrive in the marine equivalent of a desert. It is an enigma how the flux of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the largest resource produced on reefs, is transferred to higher trophic levels. Here we show that sponges make DOM available to fauna by rapidly expelling filter cells as detritus that is subsequently consumed by reef fauna. This “sponge loop” was confirmed in aquarium and in situ food web experiments, using 13C- and 15N-enriched DOM. The DOM-sponge-fauna pathway explains why biological hot spots such as coral reefs persist in oligotrophic seas—the reef’s paradox—and has implications for reef ecosystem functioning and conservation strategies.

Last edited: 24 minutes ago
Patrick says, “Laissez les bonne temps roul

 

[Subsea]

[AlgaGen states that Nannochloropsis, “is also known to be a great water conditioner” consuming and binding nitrate, phosphate, and heavy metals.[4] This is contrary to phyto's reputation for adding phosphate to your tank (which, as I indicated above, it initially does). However, I assume that the live phyto continues to consume nutrients within our reef tanks after dosing, potentially lowering nutrient levels (versus raising them).]

In conversation with @Dana Riddle, he used high doses of phytoplankton successfully with indications that it consumed nutrients as it grew in display. To prove this would require much laboratory testing.

I asked AlgaGen on their FB presence if they have data to substantiate their claim that phytoplankton consumes & binds heavy metals as well as N & P.

 

[Dana Riddle]

[AlgaGen states that Nannochloropsis, “is also known to be a great water conditioner” consuming and binding nitrate, phosphate, and heavy metals.[4] This is contrary to phyto's reputation for adding phosphate to your tank (which, as I indicated above, it initially does). However, I assume that the live phyto continues to consume nutrients within our reef tanks after dosing, potentially lowering nutrient levels (versus raising them).]

In conversation with @Dana Riddle, he used high doses of phytoplankton successfully with indications that it consumed nutrients as it grew in display. To prove this would require much laboratory testing.

I asked AlgaGen on their FB presence if they have data to substantiate their claim that phytoplankton consumes & binds heavy metals as well as N & P.

Yes, you are correct. My observations of lower N and P after phyto additions tend to be anecdotal. I've got the equipment to perform testing, just need the time to do so.

 

[Timfish]

Let’s talk Cryptic Sponges and DOC . . .

Surviving in a Marine Desert: The Sponge Loop Retains Resources Within Coral Reefs | Science . . .

​

Here's a short video to go along with your post Pat:



One of the surprises reading de Goeij's paper on elemental cycling (download a .pdf here) is sponges remove DOC in 30 minutes that takes the bacterioplankton 20 days, or about 1000X faster (pg 50). Seems to me a lot of the success attributed to skimmers should in reality be attributed to sponges.

Here's more sponge stuff for those interested:

This is Jasper de Geoij's ground breaking research on reef sponges. (The introduction is in Dutch but the content is in English.)

https://www.rug.nl/research/portal/files/14555035/13completethesis.pdf

Sponge symbionts and the marine P cycle

Sponge symbionts and the marine P cycle

Marine sponges are ubiquitous colonizers of shallow, clear-water environments in the oceans (1, 2). Sponges have emerged as significant mediators of biogeochemical fluxes in coastal zones by virtue of respiring organic matter and facilitating both the consumption and release of nutrients (3, 4)...

www.pnas.org

Phosphorus sequestration in the form of polyphosphate by microbial symbionts in marine sponges

Phosphorus sequestration in the form of polyphosphate by microbial symbionts in marine sponges

Coral reefs are highly productive ecosystems that raise a conundrum called “Darwin’s paradox”: How can high production flourish in low-nutrient conditions? We show here that in three abundant Caribbean sponges, the granules that have been commonly observed in sponge tissue for decades are...

www.pnas.org

Differential recycling of coral and algal dissolved organic matter via the sponge loop.
Sponges treat DOC from algae differently than DOC from corals

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Surviving in a Marine Desert The Sponge Loop Retains Resources Within Coral Reefs
Dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen are quickly processed by sponges and released back into the reef food web in hours as carbon and nitrogen rich detritus.

(PDF) 2013 deGoeij Science Sponge loop

PDF | On Jun 23, 2015, Jasper M de Goeij and others published 2013 deGoeij Science Sponge loop | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

www.researchgate.net

Natural Diet of Coral-Excavating Sponges Consists Mainly of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC)

Natural Diet of Coral-Excavating Sponges Consists Mainly of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC)

Coral-excavating sponges are the most important bioeroders on Caribbean reefs and increase in abundance throughout the region. This increase is commonly attributed to a concomitant increase in food availability due to eutrophication and pollution. We ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Role of Marine Sponges in Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles of COral Reefs and Nearshore Environments.

The role of marine sponges in carbon and nitrogen cycles of coral reef and nearshore environments - ProQuest

Explore millions of resources from scholarly journals, books, newspapers, videos and more, on the ProQuest Platform.

search.proquest.com

 

[Paul B]

This is great. The most life in my tank by far is sponges and they cover all available real estate. A little to agressive but they are great for the water conditions and heath in general.

The blue stuff above this box fish is sponge.



The stuff under these anthius are sponge.


These Watchmans are sitting on sponge.



All sponge.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Just a quick note on DOC in aquaria. Years ago, when I was just starting my career as a wet lab technician, I had a fish-only marine aquarium. Filtration was provided by just airlift sub-sand filters. Water changes were occasional, using Rila sea salts and tap water. I was interested in the organic loading on the tank, and used a YSI DO meter and the standard method for checking Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). I did not use a nitrification inhibitor, so the results I obtained were actually BOD plus Nitrogenous Oxygen Demand (NOD), which equals Total Oxygen Demand. Results are valid for this test if there is a drop of at least 2 mg/L oxygen. The drop was never more than 0.2 mg/L, which indicates excellent water quality as far as organics that are biodegradable in a 5-day period are concerned.