algae question

[esoxlucius]

My 10g tank in the kitchen had algae eaters, zeb danios and a single 5" chalceus in. I moved the danios and algae eaters into a new 200g to aid cycling which just left the chalceus on its own in the 10g. I now understand why a lot of hobbyists say that algae eaters are the best fish in the hobby to keep algae at bay. My 10g is overrun with it. It dosen't bother me as this small tank in the kitchen is not exactly a show tank so what it looks like is not an issue, it was just meant to keep the kids happy. An up side is that my nitrates are just not rising at all. It was 2 weeks ago that i last did a partial on this little tank and i've tested nitrate tonight and it's about 2 or 3ppm. It'great. Is this down to the algae mopping up my nitrate or is it just simply down to the fact that the chalceus is the only fish in this tank now so my bio load has decreased. More importantly is there a downside to having lots of algae in a tank other than cosmetic reasons?

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

I'm not algae expert but for sure your tank bio load is decreased.
I refer my tank has some green algae just for nature look, I hate brown algae though.
You're keeping chalceus in 10G tank, someone gonna rage on you...

 

[esoxlucius]

Oh don't worry about charlie, he'll be going in a bigger tank very soon, but yeah, i thought as soon as i mentioned a chalceus in a 10g that i was opening myself up to a world of pain. Don't worry guys i'm on with it.

 

[tlindsey]

The algae is mopping up the nitrates, and cosmetic of algae on aquarium glass turns some people off, not really a downside if you raise fry or have species that will graze on it.

 

[HarleyK]

There is a reason for everything. Algae have benefits, as shown here.

 

[Texas321]

There is a reason for everything. Algae have benefits, as shown here.

Even brown algae?

 

[esoxlucius]

I must say though, i was flabberghasted by the algaes very quick appearance and subsequent growth rate once i'd taken out the algae eaters. I've read threads in the past where people were asking whats the best fish to get to control algae and the vast majority chose the algae eaters. I only put them in the 10g in the first place because the kids liked them, they weren't bought as an algae controller. These fish do exactly what it says on the tin, hats off to algae eaters, haha.

 

[Frank Castle]

The algae is mopping up the nitrates, and cosmetic of algae on aquarium glass turns some people off, not really a downside if you raise fry or have species that will graze on it.

Indeed, Sir...over the weekend I was wondering what could possibly keep this pond healthy we were fishing - no spring-fed, no stream, just a water fountain, then a guy fishing there mentioned the copious amounts of algae giving off oxygen were enough. I guess he was right

There is a reason for everything. Algae have benefits, as shown here.

Only green algaes, you don't want any of the other colors

Even brown algae?

No, only green algaes are healthy for tanks/ponds/etc - the others have no benefical results for other organisms as far as I know. Get rid of algae if it's not green.

I must say though, i was flabberghasted by the algaes very quick appearance and subsequent growth rate once i'd taken out the algae eaters. I've read threads in the past where people were asking whats the best fish to get to control algae and the vast majority chose the algae eaters. I only put them in the 10g in the first place because the kids liked them, they weren't bought as an algae controller. These fish do exactly what it says on the tin, hats off to algae eaters, haha.

CAEs are one of the ONLY bottom-feeders I have kept that eat algae, Plecos generally do not or if they do it doesn't last w/ larger ones. Ottocinctus and Shark-minnows do a much better job then Plecos, however CAEs will grow much larger and can be kept w/ bigger fish. My Clown and Bristlenose do a good job, but they don't grow very big

 

[Texas321]

I had an out break with hair algae shortly after not using co2 anymore. Was this the reason for he put break?

 

[Pomatomus]

I had an out break with hair algae shortly after not using co2 anymore. Was this the reason for he put break?

It's tough to say but different types of algae thrive in different environments. Even old bulbs will change spectrum and encourage the growth of certain species of algae. By reducing your CO2 you could have made it harder for one type of algae to live, allowing another to colonize. Also, some types can use carbonate in the absence of CO2, so maybe that's one of the ones that proliferated in your tank.

But your algae problems were from a high stocking density. I'm glad to hear you're upgrading. I would recommend keeping a lower density in this tank or you will run into 200 gallons of algae problems. Plus your fish will be healthier with less waste in the water!