Algae, I want it.... a lot of it!

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jcarson

jcarson

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jun 30, 2018
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Las Vegas Nevada
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Hey MFK

I want thick plush green algae growths on my rockwork and back glass but all I have is brown/rust colored algae.

How do I get it to grow?

ammonia=0 nitrites=0 nitrates fluctuate between 10-40ppm depending on my schedule
ph = 7.6

I was actually thinking of an additive like flourish. Would this help what I want to achieve?
 
markstrimaran markstrimaran is the algae doctor
 
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I’m not an algae expert by no means, and I’m not really giving you any useful advise here either haha

I agree with you that I love the look of algae on driftwood and the back wall of the tank,

I also don’t know how it generates itself in a tank as it doesn’t just magically appear from nothing, I’ve always thought of algae like a mould, there must be spores present and then the right combination of things to make a specific algae blossom and grow

In my higher light low tech planted tank I have what I believe to be filament algae, I believe it’s caused by high light, not enough water changes (though I do weekly 90% water changes), and over feeding (I’m just speculating btw).....

Maybe you can try researching the algae you want to grow and see if you can provide what it needs to start growing....also, if in Canada I can send you a ton of algae via mail hahaha

I also cannot wait for markstrimaran to Chile in with his algae knowledge!!!
 
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How big is the tank?

What are your lights?
T5 ho
Led.

Are you a DIY?

How long has it been a fish tank?

What is the substrate?
 
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I too think it needs to be introduced to take hold. Mine was brought in by some pond plants I got from my mom. She battled this stuff hard in her pond. I now have it growing in three different tanks. I love it.
The reason I think this must be true is because my tanks are in a sunroom. They all get natural light all day. The only algae I have is the stuff I’ve moved around from my moms pond. I have two other tanks that do not have any green algae. One has brown algae and the other has none at all.

My best advice would be to get some from someone and grow it out.
 
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I left a plastic screen in a creek one summer for some turf algea. Aquatic moss from the back yard, some mossy rocks from other areas.

660nm red leds, will grow some,
640 nm will grow other types.

As will actinic blues.

2700 k flouresent tubes, are good.
T5 tubes, and t 8 tubes.

The different lights will grow some types better than others.

For a back wall, a sand based tile will grow better than smooth glass.

A blender works great for making algea soup to seed.
 
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Beautiful.
 
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