Xenia help reduce nitrates?

dlish89 · 02/13/2006, 11:07 AM

I was reading a thread and someone stated that they thought xenia helps reduce nitrates. Does anyone know this for sure? Thank you

Mykayel · 02/13/2006, 11:27 AM

I've heard that along with mushrooms and a few others using nitrates as a food sources... however I wouldn't count on it as a primary source to lower your nitrates.

abeard · 02/13/2006, 11:36 AM

I have a tank full of Xenia and Shrooms and Nitrate is still my #1 issue.

dlish89 · 02/14/2006, 12:30 AM

Thanks for the input. I didn't plan to use it as the only source for controlling nitrates, I just need all the help I can get to keep my nitrates down.

Fred_J · 02/14/2006, 02:42 AM

Look in the all things salty forum and read the sticky on the remote DSB. Anthony Calfo uses these as well as some public aquariums.
HTH
Fred

Jon Evans · 02/14/2006, 11:34 AM

a fuge is the best way to remove nitrates IMO.

dlish89 · 02/14/2006, 11:45 AM

Sorry I should have said in my original post I have a fuge, but nitrates are still alittle high. I posted this thread, because I'm wanting to get some xenia ( and yes I have read it grows like a weed) and I was just wondering if it will help control nitates. I plan on gettin some in the next week or so. After I get some I will let you know if it did anything to help with my nitrate problem. Thanks for all the input everyone.

Travis L. Stevens · 02/14/2006, 12:56 PM

Yes, but it takes a large amount. When you use Xenia to control your nitrates, they are called "Xenia Scrubbers". A study was done a while back about how much Xenia actually consumes and what it consumes. It most likely is linked in Randy Holmes-Farley's forum. All in all, your single best removal of nitrates is water changes, followed by algal scrubbers, deep sand beds and live rock. Most of the latter are found in your typical "Refugium" set up.

Pandora · 02/14/2006, 02:04 PM

Before long, you may have a large amount if they grow well

But I do agree that they shouldn't be your primary source of nitrate removal, a refugium is more efficient at this job. If they were completely efficient, it would get to a point where xenia reduce it so well that they can't inhabit the water themselves!

02/14/2006, 02:42 AM	#5
Fred_J Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Goldsboro, NC Posts: 514	Look in the all things salty forum and read the sticky on the remote DSB. Anthony Calfo uses these as well as some public aquariums. HTH Fred __________________ Fred Current Tank Info: 75g reef 20g sump, 55g reef 10g sump

02/14/2006, 11:34 AM	#6
Jon Evans Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Massillon, OH Posts: 297	a fuge is the best way to remove nitrates IMO. __________________ If you are in the stock market, look to diversify your portfolio with global equities. Warren Buffett said so. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR tank with 20 gal sump/fuge

02/14/2006, 12:56 PM	#8
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Yes, but it takes a large amount. When you use Xenia to control your nitrates, they are called "Xenia Scrubbers". A study was done a while back about how much Xenia actually consumes and what it consumes. It most likely is linked in Randy Holmes-Farley's forum. All in all, your single best removal of nitrates is water changes, followed by algal scrubbers, deep sand beds and live rock. Most of the latter are found in your typical "Refugium" set up. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

02/14/2006, 02:04 PM	#9
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	Before long, you may have a large amount if they grow well But I do agree that they shouldn't be your primary source of nitrate removal, a refugium is more efficient at this job. If they were completely efficient, it would get to a point where xenia reduce it so well that they can't inhabit the water themselves! __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank

02/13/2006, 11:07 AM	#1
dlish89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Galt , CA Posts: 93	Xenia help reduce nitrates? I was reading a thread and someone stated that they thought xenia helps reduce nitrates. Does anyone know this for sure? Thank you

02/13/2006, 11:27 AM	#2
Mykayel Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 586	I've heard that along with mushrooms and a few others using nitrates as a food sources... however I wouldn't count on it as a primary source to lower your nitrates.

02/13/2006, 11:36 AM	#3
abeard Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Melbourne, Fl Posts: 32	I have a tank full of Xenia and Shrooms and Nitrate is still my #1 issue.

02/14/2006, 12:30 AM	#4
dlish89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Galt , CA Posts: 93	Thanks for the input. I didn't plan to use it as the only source for controlling nitrates, I just need all the help I can get to keep my nitrates down.

02/14/2006, 11:45 AM	#7
dlish89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Galt , CA Posts: 93	Sorry I should have said in my original post I have a fuge, but nitrates are still alittle high. I posted this thread, because I'm wanting to get some xenia ( and yes I have read it grows like a weed) and I was just wondering if it will help control nitates. I plan on gettin some in the next week or so. After I get some I will let you know if it did anything to help with my nitrate problem. Thanks for all the input everyone.