Re: [APD] RE: Cyanophyta/BGA (Thomas Barr)

["Rob Fowler" <aquaria at sarcanthinae_com>]

Dirk, I would suggest the possibility that several species of Cyanophyta
(and there are several common green ones) exist in the tank. It's possible
differeing species could utilize differing nitrogen fixation pathways (The
nitrogenase reaction would probaly be the most costly conversion system) .
They key thing about running the nitrogenase reactions is the requirement
for relatively large amounts of energy, that's why in my list light was the
first and, as Tom points out blacking out the tank is probably (and IMHO)
the best place to start.  I am sure opinions may vary, but I think the
nitrogen management will only be effective on a limited number of species
and without the blackout it's going to be hard to control and as Tom points
out (is he *always* so right? :-) the energy storage in the bacteria is very
small compared to the larger plants so it dies off first.

In terms of nitrogen fixation, BGA is probably the most effective, as if you
have air, light and trace elements it can grow. (if not maybe someone can
correct me?). Some species cyanobacteria can survive long after all other
nitrogen dependant organisms have long gone given the precence of these. It
was here first and will probably be here last.
- Rob, Sydney

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Dirk_Matthys at toyota-europe.com>
To: <aquatic-plants at actwin_com>
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 3:10 AM
Subject: [APD] RE: Cyanophyta/BGA (Thomas Barr)
> If the species we get in our tanks do not fix atmospheric N, then why are
> BGA bacteria good competitors vs algae/higher plants? Are there other
> mechanisms in BGA that can retrieve N from more compounded substances?  Or
> do they need very little to survive and they strip the water for every
> molecule that comes available from other processes? Anything else?
>

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