What do you do about small amounts of routine, everyday algae? I know we've all had it show up, and its definitely ugly, but IS IT HARMFUL OR HELPFUL? 
Algae: Friend or Foe?
- Thread starter JakeH
- Start date
a small, controlled amount of algae (certain specias of algae are problems regardless of amount since they grow out of control) is harmless and can even be beneficial. good food source for plecos, ottos, chinese algae eaters. these fish are also good ways to control algae. i think a slight growth of algae makes the tank look more natural too.
Yup, thats what I mean. There are a lot of opinions & Im just curious. For example: If it is the beneficial type of Algae for whatever case, do you still kill it for beauty's sake or let it do it's thing??
i let it be until it gets outta control. then i either vacuum it up or scrape it off. i've had rocks that i have taken out of the tank and scrubbed thoroughly with a brillo
I leave algae on the back of the tank and the one side that is facing the wall. My pleco likes to eat it and I don't feel like scrubbing unless the algae gets extreme 
So is "ugly" the only downside? It doesn't suck up oxygen or harbor diseases or anything like that, right?
Healthy algae provides all the same benefits as healthy plants- it oxygenates the water, sucks up nitrogenous wastes, and makes the fish feel more secure. If you have a tremendous growth of algae, it can die all at once and cause the tank to crash, but you'd have to really let the tank go for that to be a threat.
Some saltwater algae put out toxins at night, but I don't believe any typical freshwater aquarium algae do that.
Some saltwater algae put out toxins at night, but I don't believe any typical freshwater aquarium algae do that.
I LOVE ALGAE 
My Spawns are Larger and More when I have a good mass going But My wife doesn't like it as much in the show tank.. Though She puts up with it after seeing the increased survival of Cichla after leaving it vs not... 
My Spawns are Larger and More when I have a good mass going But My wife doesn't like it as much in the show tank.. Though She puts up with it after seeing the increased survival of Cichla after leaving it vs not...