Ummm, i think Elodea has that ability too
Plants that use bicarbonates for photosynthesis
Some plants can thrive in low CO2 conditions by getting the carbon needed for photosynthesis from bicarbonates in the water. Sounds like an easy way to avoid excel or CO2 systems. But I've only found three aquarium plants described as being able to do this:
Vallisneria
Anacharis
Hornwort
Does anyone know of other aquarium plant species with this ability? Preferably pretty ones.
Vallisneria
Anacharis
Hornwort
Does anyone know of other aquarium plant species with this ability? Preferably pretty ones.
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
Hydrilla uses indirect bicarb and Egeria is similar.
Pondweeds do, Stuckenia and Potamogeton etc.
Maberley(1983) and Madsen have decent papers of the topic.
Milfoils do also.
The bicarb is used only when a threshold of lower CO2 in no longer available or a good trade offs, then the plant switches to HCO3 use.
So.......if you want to increase growth, simply add CO2 gas, in nature, the plants have to make do and get whatever is available to gain an advantage vs another aquatic weed. So C4 metabolism and CAM even......as well as bicarbonate use when the CO2 gets low are all viable advantages. A small change in acquiring carbon over time can translate into huge gains in biomass over a year or more.
You might read pages 6-9 or so.
http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/47987/1/02whole.pdf
Regards,
Tom Barr
Pondweeds do, Stuckenia and Potamogeton etc.
Maberley(1983) and Madsen have decent papers of the topic.
Milfoils do also.
The bicarb is used only when a threshold of lower CO2 in no longer available or a good trade offs, then the plant switches to HCO3 use.
So.......if you want to increase growth, simply add CO2 gas, in nature, the plants have to make do and get whatever is available to gain an advantage vs another aquatic weed. So C4 metabolism and CAM even......as well as bicarbonate use when the CO2 gets low are all viable advantages. A small change in acquiring carbon over time can translate into huge gains in biomass over a year or more.
You might read pages 6-9 or so.
http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/47987/1/02whole.pdf
Regards,
Tom Barr
Thanks for the link Tom it was very interesting. It seems that the as long as a plant can survive at a ph higher than 8.2 the use of bicarbonates can be taken for granted. Now I will look for a plant like that whose appearance goes beyond the long-wavy-green theme.
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
The Planted Tank Forum
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Kwyet
130 Replies
Galabar001
60 Replies
Creature From The Tank
54 Replies
Recommended Communities
