Tunicate nutrient export?

ScottT1980 · 04-05-2004, 03:16 PM

I will be going down to the coast this coming weekend and I have planned on doing some seaweed ( Ulva spp. )and perhaps some nassarius snail collection (water temp. dependent). Another thing that I have thought about collecting are the massive amounts of tunicates that develop on our floating dock.

When I first entered the hobby, I had a local species tank and it held a number of tunicates. They slowly degraded over time, although that is more likely a result of my husbandry skills and inexperience. I remember talking to marine biologist at some point and him mentioning tunicates being great natural filters. I wonder how succesful they would be at nutrient uptake in a fuge, or at least how efficient they would be relative to macro algae? Anyone familiar with their biology?

It might not work because they are filter feeders and thusly, might require massive amounts of suspended particulate matter. Any ideas, thoughts, concerns, prayers? I just think it would be yet another cool thing to add to the fuge and they seem fairly benign.

Thanks
Scott T.

Crakeur · 04-05-2004, 04:21 PM

Not sure which tunicates are local but I know many of them have a relatively short life span.

I have a couple of monkey squirts (not sure the actual name) in my tank and they seem pretty happy with the junk in my water.

I think you're looking at something along the lines of the cryptic zone (sponge instead of tunicates, same concept tho).

it might work if the tunicates don't all start to die off after a few months.

04-05-2004, 03:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,485 View Gallery Karma Komment	Tunicate nutrient export? I will be going down to the coast this coming weekend and I have planned on doing some seaweed ( Ulva spp. )and perhaps some nassarius snail collection (water temp. dependent). Another thing that I have thought about collecting are the massive amounts of tunicates that develop on our floating dock. When I first entered the hobby, I had a local species tank and it held a number of tunicates. They slowly degraded over time, although that is more likely a result of my husbandry skills and inexperience. I remember talking to marine biologist at some point and him mentioning tunicates being great natural filters. I wonder how succesful they would be at nutrient uptake in a fuge, or at least how efficient they would be relative to macro algae? Anyone familiar with their biology? It might not work because they are filter feeders and thusly, might require massive amounts of suspended particulate matter. Any ideas, thoughts, concerns, prayers? I just think it would be yet another cool thing to add to the fuge and they seem fairly benign. Thanks Scott T.

04-05-2004, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Crakeur Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the sump Posts: 298 View Gallery Karma Komment	Not sure which tunicates are local but I know many of them have a relatively short life span. I have a couple of monkey squirts (not sure the actual name) in my tank and they seem pretty happy with the junk in my water. I think you're looking at something along the lines of the cryptic zone (sponge instead of tunicates, same concept tho). it might work if the tunicates don't all start to die off after a few months. __________________ It's not the size of the nose that matters, it's what's inside that counts! If I wanted a joke, I'd follow you into the john and watch you take a leak. You know when you're telling these little stories? Here's a good idea: have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener! Women have choices, and men have responsibilities

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)