Do macros inhibit corals?

[dnjan]

I have read that some soft corals will release chemicals that inhibit the growth of stoney corals. Do macroalgaes also release chemicals that could inhibit coral growth, or do they primarily "make their space" by simply overgrowing corals?

Thanks!

 

[Anthony Calfo]

algae and soft corals are the principal groups that wage significant "chemical warfare" on each other and other reef creatures. Do some searches for the term "allelopathy" abroad. Very interesting matter.

 

[mojoreef]

Don we had a really good conversation on this subject in the chemistry forum also, just so you can get some more info on it.


Mike

 

[gobie]

If This Is The Case Than Why Refuge

 

[mattseattle]

good question.....

 

[mojoreef]

Well gobie that why most of us dont


Mike

 

[mattseattle]

you are saying most people don't use a refugium? i've never got that impression.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

sigh... not really. Missing the point here friends.

If you will decline to use a refugium because of allelopathy, then you are also going to have to give up all corals and keep only one species in your tank

You cannot stop allelopathy between corals and corals, or corals and algae, or algae against corals. We can only try to reduce it to minimal or manageable levels. One way is to avoid creating the typical garden reef aquarium: dreadfully unnatural mixes of corals (LPS, SPS, zoanthids, corallimoprhs, etc) from not only different niches on the reef... but different oceans. Yikes! In a phrase... the sensation of an unnatural or aggressive neighbor stimulates excessive allelopathic respsonses.

Believe me... compared to the toxic soup that most people keep and call a reef tank, your choice of algae or fuge or no fuge is the least of your problems long term

As for refugia... certain algae are categorically more noxious than others. Caulerpa is wicked overall... Gracilaria and Chaetomorpha are rather mild.

FWIW

 

[mojoreef]

If you will decline to use a refugium because of allelopathy, then you are also going to have to give up all corals and keep only one species in your tank

Oh man time to throw in the towel I guess :lol:

Anthony is correct thier are alot of varities of macro's out thier, all have thier ups and downs, roots, chemical, easy to go sexual or not and so on. You have to weigh that against what they will actually absorb and how much they will absorb. then from thier come up with a algae that figures best for you.

For me they are just another card in the house of cards, but thats just my opinion

Mike

 

[Anthony Calfo]

there is some rather comprehensive and up to date coverage on this topic in a recent book by a sexy, albeit short, author and his clinically insane, albeit lovable, co-author. Both parties shall remain unnamed

 

[NaH2O]

LOL, Anthony. I had heard one of these authors was a pretty good dancer, and the other was so-so.....if my memory serves me correctly, the good dancer, is the co-author

Here are the other threads Mike made mention of. Hope they help!

Caulerpa Toxicity in Perspective
Caulerpa Problems Poll

 

[Anthony Calfo]

that may be true... but which one would you rather see in a sequin RF thong?

(assuming we can steal it back from Mike)

 

[Angelscrx]

This thread started out really good then got twisted at the end Good questions and great responses. These are things many new reefers don't think about. I like the mixed tanks myself but know about the problems about having them. So many things to think about :doubt:

 

[NaH2O]

I like the mixed tanks myself but know about the problems about having them. So many things to think about

Like to live dangerously, eh? LOL - I think it is important to have an understanding of the allelopathic responses. That way when stocking your tank, you can take these into consideration for coral placement. There was a discussion on placement a little bit ago, and I believe someone mentioned making sure your softies were downstream from your stony corals. When deciding on the use of macros, you have to look at the pros and cons, for your particular set-up. Don't forget to perform the necessary maintenance on these, too.

Anthony - I doubt Mike will ever part with them.

 

[mojoreef]

Anthony I am stuck with it now. I tried it on and now I cant get the damm thing off!! Actually I am starting to loose feeling in my left leg to???

lol



MIke

 

[reedman]

Too much information Mike. Now I'm stuck with that image in my head. Maybe I can sue for emotional damages.

 

[dnjan]

As for refugia... certain algae are categorically more noxious than others. Caulerpa is wicked overall... Gracilaria and Chaetomorpha are rather mild.

FWIW

Thanks everybody for the links to additional reading, search words, etc. And thanks especially, Anthony, for the above sentence.

And apologies to everyone for moving this thread back on topic, from where it seems to have gone.

Personally, the vision of Mike in a thong is no worse than the blight through downtown Seattle that will be caused by the new monorail line. Both are pretty bad to imagine.

 

[Elmo18]

that may be true... but which one would you rather see in a sequin RF thong?

(assuming we can steal it back from Mike)

Elmo ponders that image...and hmm never again... :lol:

- Elmo

 

[Anthony Calfo]

it gets worse... you'd never know I was wearing them to see me on the beach... mediterranean extraction and all... I'm like a miniature Chewbacca... a veritable Hominid chia-pet... stripped naked you'd swear I was wearing mohair pajamas I'm thinking about braiding my chest hair.

Now try to sleep at nights Ha!

 

[Anthony Calfo]

the crowd silently chants to themselves, "find a happy place... find a happy place"