Interesting discussion

[nholderried65]

jmaneyapanda;764898 wrote: i dont understand what he is claiming. That low nutrient systems has calcification occur in different methods than with high nutrient systems? If so, that sounds like a giant pile of bs to me. Corals use cellular energy and sugars to calcify. And translating nutrient rich water into cellular energy is quite a leap, if im understanding him properly.

+1

 

[snowmansnow]

im skeptical

 

[ripped tide]

jmaneyapanda;764898 wrote: I dont understand what he is claiming. That low nutrient systems has calcification occur in different methods than with high nutrient systems? If so, that sounds like a giant pile of BS to me. Corals use cellular energy and sugars to calcify. And translating nutrient rich water into cellular energy is quite a leap, if Im understanding him properly.

I was/am pretty sceptical of his claim. I'll try to clarify it a bit.

Both the rep and my self agreed that calcification occurs after photosynthesis and Protien synthesis produce energy. We agreed that calcium, alkalinity and magnesium have to be balanced as well.

Here is a summary of his explanation of why higher levels of calcium, alk, and mag accelerate growth and accellerate the calcification of the coral's skeleton:

In NSW, the levels of calcium alk and mag vary, but normally do not exceed ~420, 3.5 and 1350. This balance allows the ions to flow freely through the cells, by the act of osmosis, and when the coral produces enough energy to bind the ions and form the skeleton, the ions are there. This produces healthy colorful growth.

Corals derive energy through photosynthesis, thanks to the zooxanthelle that live in their tissue, and Protien synthesis, consuming food, processin the food and expelling the waste.

When corals are kept in conditions where the cal alk and mag are ~465, 4.5 and 1400 there is an unnaturally higher ionic concentration in the water than in the coral tissue. Ions cannot freely flow in and out, they are forced into the cells. This "forces" the coral to form an aragonite skeleton faster than the coral can derive the energy to grow the soft tissue around the coral. The result is "burnt tips" "my corals are growing so fast, but look colorless" etc.

In a heavily fed tank, where plenty of amino acids are present, the corals should be able to produce enough tissue to keep up with the accelerated growth of the stony skeleton.
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Ok, so that was an attempted representation of what he said. I'm not sure if that helps clarify any thing.


I too would love to see study results.