Corals That Use Up Phosphates

[Nonuser]

What type of corals or reef inhabitants thrive on phosphates or at least use them to help control the nutrients. If any

 

[Luke.]

I'm not sure good topic , I have a cooking disc of acans and over the past 8 months 2 sponges grew on the bottom , I know they are great filter feeders , can you buy sponges ?

 

[Nonuser]

Well I had/ have a hair algae outbreak. Totally my fault, issues with light,lack of attention to maintenance, vacation and just life in general. Long story short I lost pretty well everything. But in another thread here or something I read. Said you know if you're having nutrient problems then not having softies or LPS in the tank does help you correct the problem.

My thought was well you have a hair algae problem all your frags are being taken over by it and you don't have the time or money to throw at the problem then just make sure your fish are okay and don't do anything drastic but try not to make things worse and step up your maintenance.

@Luke, why are you not sure it's a good topic?

 

[Joshbrookkate]

Following. I read that soemwhere, too, Non-user.
Sorry about your losses, though....

 

[Salty Cracker]

Leathers. Good lord leathers love phosphate. I think mushrooms bask in it too. Just look at this tank killer.

 

[Nick James]

Xenia are supposed to absorb phosphorous, I would likely only put them in a refugium.

 

[Nonuser]

Xenia are supposed to absorb phosphorous, I would likely only put them in a refugium.

Yes great answer, I have heard they are great but can be invasive. I was thinking more of leathers or Trachyphyllia, Symphyllia, Wellsophyllia

 

[Luke.]

@Luke, why are you not sure it's a good topic?

Just the face I know nothingness about sponges and if they would help you that's all

 

[Hong]

I think softies, and clams would probably help. Sorry for your losses.

 

[AdInfinitum]

All living things constantly both need and shed phosphate...it's an equilibrium. If they are growing...they take in more than they shed. If they are shrinking or dying they shed more than they absorb. Things like fish etc. Only take in phosphate from their food however virtually all simpler organisms that freely exchange ions with the water will absorb some. The key is that every time you put food in the tank you are dumping a pile of phosphate in...therefore to balance the system you must remove some too. Which means if you want to use living things rather than GFO or lanthanum...fine but it must be something that grows rapidly enough that you can prune/harvest/remove some regularly. That's actual nutrient export which can be done but requires far more space than a simple GFO reactor to accomplish the same level of removal. My small frag tank is a very simple minimalist system and I harvest a large handful of chaeto every week. That plus large regular water changes keep most levels in check but it still requires some addtional phosphate removal to keep the SPS growing happily.

 

[Joshbrookkate]

I just need to say how much I appreciate being a part of this forum. So much great information! Thanks to eveyone for your input!

 

[heath]

I agree, there is some much knowledge here...I just wish that we could store this info under the topic (eg; phosphates) for easier reference...

 

[Joshbrookkate]

I agree, there is some much knowledge here...I just wish that we could store this info under the topic (eg; phosphates) for easier reference...

Like tagging specifc words when posting? Hmm. Neopimp?