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Are corals net producer or consumer of nitrate
- Thread starter horseplay
- Start date
I would say probably negligible either way. If they soaked up phosphates and nitrates, people would just stock their tanks with corals and be thrilled. I don't think they produce too many nitrates because they don't produce ammonia the same way fish or foods would. We do know that elevated levels of both will kill most corals.
Here is some information that may answer your question. I copied it from an article that also contained a lot of promotional BS, so I left it out.
Corals derive approx 85% of their energy from the Zooxanthellae and produce the remaining 15% in their soft tissue by metabolizing coral nutrients (Carbohydrates, Amino and Fatty acids) that are available in the surrounding water. This energy fuels all of the corals’ metabolic processes such as protein production and skeletogenisis. The Zooxanthellae use the strong sunlight on the tropical reef as their primary energy source and pass on up to 95% of their photosynthesis products (Carbohydrates, Amino and Fatty acids) to their coral host, utilizing the balance for their own metabolic processes. The coral host provides the Zooxanthellae with nutrients, nitrogenous compounds, phosphates and CO2. It is this symbiotic relationship, involving the recycling of nutrients, that is the key to the ecological success.Another aspect of this symbiosis relates to photo-protection from strong radiation. In nature, the Zooxanthellae protect the corals from intense UV radiation by absorbing the light energy and shading the delicate inner layers of the coral soft tissues.
In nature the Zooxanthellae population is controlled by the algae nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) excreted by the coral, however in an artificial reef aquarium the amount of algae nutrients accumulate rapidly and if left uncontrolled will induce an over-density of the Zooxanthellae populations.The high nutrient induced over-density of the Zooxanthellae population disturbs the natural balance causing competition between the Zooxanthellae and the coral for the available resources such that without additional nutrition the coral may become undernourished. Furthermore the increase in Zooxanthellae population causes the corals to become darker with a deep brown tint that obscures the natural vivid pigments of the coral. Higher Zooxanthellae population densities within the acceptable range will however provide the coral with the energy required for accelerated coral growth.
Reducing the algae nutrients in the water will reduce the Zooxanthellae population to the level that can only be supported by the algae nutrients supplied directly by the coral. Under these conditions the coral will receive less energy from the Zooxanthellae and will have less protection from the UV radiation. In this situation, if suitable coral nutrients (Carbohydrates, Amino acids and Vitamins) are readily available in the water, the soft tissue of the coral can increase its internal production of energy and assuming the necessary trace elements are available in the water, the coral will increase its natural UV protection by enhancing pigmentation of the soft tissue which is seen as enhanced coloration.
This is a promotional video about NOPOX, but explains the need, inappropriate amounts, for both NO3 and PO4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqx0SIJgEN8&list=UUCiVaNT1ECXtH2VEVa52q4w&index=9&feature=plcp
Corals derive approx 85% of their energy from the Zooxanthellae and produce the remaining 15% in their soft tissue by metabolizing coral nutrients (Carbohydrates, Amino and Fatty acids) that are available in the surrounding water. This energy fuels all of the corals’ metabolic processes such as protein production and skeletogenisis. The Zooxanthellae use the strong sunlight on the tropical reef as their primary energy source and pass on up to 95% of their photosynthesis products (Carbohydrates, Amino and Fatty acids) to their coral host, utilizing the balance for their own metabolic processes. The coral host provides the Zooxanthellae with nutrients, nitrogenous compounds, phosphates and CO2. It is this symbiotic relationship, involving the recycling of nutrients, that is the key to the ecological success.Another aspect of this symbiosis relates to photo-protection from strong radiation. In nature, the Zooxanthellae protect the corals from intense UV radiation by absorbing the light energy and shading the delicate inner layers of the coral soft tissues.
In nature the Zooxanthellae population is controlled by the algae nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) excreted by the coral, however in an artificial reef aquarium the amount of algae nutrients accumulate rapidly and if left uncontrolled will induce an over-density of the Zooxanthellae populations.The high nutrient induced over-density of the Zooxanthellae population disturbs the natural balance causing competition between the Zooxanthellae and the coral for the available resources such that without additional nutrition the coral may become undernourished. Furthermore the increase in Zooxanthellae population causes the corals to become darker with a deep brown tint that obscures the natural vivid pigments of the coral. Higher Zooxanthellae population densities within the acceptable range will however provide the coral with the energy required for accelerated coral growth.
Reducing the algae nutrients in the water will reduce the Zooxanthellae population to the level that can only be supported by the algae nutrients supplied directly by the coral. Under these conditions the coral will receive less energy from the Zooxanthellae and will have less protection from the UV radiation. In this situation, if suitable coral nutrients (Carbohydrates, Amino acids and Vitamins) are readily available in the water, the soft tissue of the coral can increase its internal production of energy and assuming the necessary trace elements are available in the water, the coral will increase its natural UV protection by enhancing pigmentation of the soft tissue which is seen as enhanced coloration.
This is a promotional video about NOPOX, but explains the need, inappropriate amounts, for both NO3 and PO4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqx0SIJgEN8&list=UUCiVaNT1ECXtH2VEVa52q4w&index=9&feature=plcp
Read this 3 times. So the zooxanthellae will only get nutrients from the coral if I understand corrected. But the second paragraphs seems to imply that the zooxanthellae will also obtain nutrients from the water directly thus competing with the coral for nutrients. This is a little confusing.
Base on logic nutrient is provided by the coral in the wild and is the limiting factor. Thus all the nitrate/phosphate is consumed by the symbiotic relationship.
So the question now is whether the zooxanthellae can consume nutrients from the surrounding water. If it does then it will be a net consumer of nutrient although the amount is likely neglegible.
Also more zooxanthellae means less colorful coral but better growth, which makes sense.
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2
Base on logic nutrient is provided by the coral in the wild and is the limiting factor. Thus all the nitrate/phosphate is consumed by the symbiotic relationship.
So the question now is whether the zooxanthellae can consume nutrients from the surrounding water. If it does then it will be a net consumer of nutrient although the amount is likely neglegible.
Also more zooxanthellae means less colorful coral but better growth, which makes sense.
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2