Barley pellets remove nutrients for ponds...why not salt?

[Anonymous]

Barley pellets are used in ponds to remove phosphate...can you use them in saltwater tanks? I've never seen this addressed before and would like some input from those in the know.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Saltykirk]

You probably just found what most phosphate removers are made of!!
LoL.
Post it if you find out something, till then drink more barley.

 

[JeremyR]

The barley doesn't remove phosphate.. it rots in the water and natural chemicals in the barley inhibit algae growth. I don't think it would be a good thing to do in sw.

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
Barley extract is used in pond and FW for a while already. As JeremyR said, barley extract is an algea inhibitor. It is mainly used for micro algea (green water problem), and in reef, you will be very lucky to get green water (phytoplanton) that you can keep green for any extent of time.

 

[brandon4291]

the algae-inhibiting compound in barley straw is lignin. It affects cell-wall integrity in algae I believe, and there is no telling what it would do to the various animals that inhabit an established reef tank. Id be concerned you would affect the coral zooxanthellae, but could not be sure. If you set up an experiment (or try it on a friend's algae-laden reef) be sure to let us know.

 

[Anonymous]

That's what I needed to know. As I said, I'd never seen it addressed, so I figured I'd ask here. Thanks muchly.

Peace,

Chip