Algae growing on specific material

[Rtc/tsn]

Can anyone tell me what type of algae this is? I’ve had it many times in my aquarium and I’ve tried about everything to get rid of it. I’m staring to think it’s the type of material the cave is made out of. I’ve boiled it, sun dried, used a toothbrush and a hog hair brush from an old shoe cleaning kit, and I’ve tried algae killer but nothing works. I don’t really mind it too much but now that I have a flowerhorn and the fish has such bright colors I just don’t like the look of the dark algae. Daisy came to say hello lol

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Anyone?

 

[duanes]

While doing my microbiology studies many years ago, we had an entire text book dedicated to the species of algae of of the U.S. great lakes .
There were over 1,000 species in the 5 great lakes alone. Many depend on substrate, light penetration, water parameters, etc etc
and these factors might also determine presentation of algae color
To try and figure out 1 of the millions of species worldwide is a daunting task.
I love algae, I would place and rotate rocks and sunken logs in outdoor enclosures, in sunny areas to grow swathes of algae to put back in my tanks, for the benefits it provides the system.



and always let algae grow on backs and sides of tanks for the fry to graze on.
I only get rid of it on the front viewing window.

And also promote its growth in sumps, to help control nitrate.
To control certain unwanted algae types, I use other aquatic and terrestrial plants as competition for the nutrients algae require.
In this case these higher plants need to far outnumber any algae growth many times over to actually compete.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

While doing my microbiology studies many years ago, we had an entire text book dedicated to the species of algae of of the U.S. great lakes .
There were over 1,000 species in the 5 great lakes alone. Many depend on substrate, light penetration, water parameters, etc etc
and these factors might also depend on the algae color
To try and figure out 1 of the millions of species worldwide is a daunting task.
I love algae, I would place rand rotate ocks and sunken logs in outdoor enclosures, in sunny areas to grow swathes of algae to put back in my tanks, for the benefits it provides the system.
View attachment 1465687
View attachment 1465688
View attachment 1465689
and always let algae grow on backs and sides of tanks for the fry to graze on.
I only get rid of it on the front viewing window.
View attachment 1465690
And also promote its growth in sumps, to help control nitrate.
To control certain unwanted algae types, I use other aquatic and terrestrial plants as competition for the nutrients algae require.
In this case these higher plants need to far outnumber any algae growth many times over to actually compete.
View attachment 1465691

Is there any way to get rid of this algae or would it be beneficial to keep it and let it grow. It does give a different look that I kind of like.

 

[A201]

Looks like diatom to me. Eventually some type of green algae will likely overtake it.
As noted above, rocks & wood at least partially coated with various algae has a beneficial aspect and a much more natural look.
There are Inverts & fish that graze on algae, but neither would be compatible with a FH.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Looks like diatom to me. Eventually some type of green algae will likely overtake it.
As noted above, rocks & wood at least partially coated with various algae has a beneficial aspect and a much more natural look.
There are Inverts & fish that graze on algae, but neither would be compatible with a FH.

Would the algae be beneficial to water quality?

 

[..puSkar..]

Would the algae be beneficial to water quality?

Yep it would.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Yep it would.

Then I’ll keep it. Thanks.

 

[..puSkar..]

Then I’ll keep it. Thanks.

your case seems to be of diatom or brown algae , leave it as it is wont cause harm. if you let algae grow all over the walls of the tank they would certainly help with water parameters as they are technically plants.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

your case seems to be of diatom or brown algae , leave it as it is wont cause harm. if you let algae grow all over the walls of the tank they would certainly help with water parameters as they are technically plants.

True but can’t too much algae be bad or certain types cause harm.