Algae what is it? Why isnt any in my tank?

[Finthusiast]

Yes my plants also could be doing better in my ten gallon. The moneywart has stayed alive for months but growing thin. Im setting up a 75 gallon tank so trying to learn about the things Id like to get better in my 10 gallon so I can basically set up same tank just bigger and I will know how to maintain proper. Thanks for the input guys real interesting how many different algaes there are. Would be cool to grow a differnt color on different rocks in the aquarium if it could be done haha!

 

[duanes]

The color and species of algae is determined by the amount, the color, the type of light, and the composition of minerals in your water, sessile or planktonic. There are thousands of species of algae.
Some thrive in nutrient poor water, some in water that is considered polluted, and everything in between..
Algae can be brown, red, green, purple any number of colors, it can be short, or long and stringy, again based on the available light, and water chemistry.
When I was doing my water microbiology studies, we had an entire text book, and section on just the algae of the american great lakes, and it i wasn't thin.

 

[Finthusiast]

Haha wow that is awesome, so is this algae or diatoms? How can you tell a difference?

 

[duanes]

Diatoms "are" a type algae, the major difference is that they are able to get energy from silica in the water, and don't need the stronger amounts of light green or red algae need, thru photosynthesis.
I used to have an algal Taxonomic Key when IDing algae as part of my gig at the drinking water plant, without it, and a microscope, trying to separate the common species, or even genus differences was nearly impossible.

above Chiapaheros grammodes fry feeding on diatoms, their tank was full of it
.
Below Alcolapia tending a plot of its favorite algae in a tank 4 ft away.


below, most recently, hair algae growing in my sump, it is outside, in the path of morning sun.

 

[The Silvs]

Some proteins and fats in feeds can turn algae covered surfaces a mild tint of brown.

 

[Finthusiast]

Wow you have a great set up with all those different tanks duanes ! Beautiful pics, and I apredicate that info. That is real interesting how different algae grows based on conditions, I just thought there was one type. Thank you so much for sharing! I am looking for ideas on decor for my tank. Not much money I’m going to have to go to nature and hope to find usable pieces rocks and such. You have any advice on what I should get for my Mayan cichlid? I would buy if there is affordable stuff just seems everything cost so much when it comes to buying decor.