Do plants fend off algae

[RTCatz]

Hi,

For those who have planted tanks...do you still have algae problems? I read in books and they pretty much say if you don't want algae plants will be necessary.

 

[kurt]

Yes they do. My algae problem went away after I put in some fast growing plants.

Kurt

 

[ewurm]

The plants take nitrogen out of the water, leaving less for algae to use.

 

[Hakon]

Yeah, when the plants start to grow, they'll use the nutriment. When the nutriment is used by the plants, the algae no longer have anything to "eat". But if the plants do not grow, the algae will use the nutriment..

 

[guppy]

Agreed.

 

[patrickjkelley]

yes

 

[pesky2118]

Definately. Only algae problems I had were occasional outbreaks of hair algae, which tends to appear in newly planted tanks, and controlled nicely with rosy barbs in my experiance.

 

[ewurm]

If plants get algae on them, trim the infested leaves. This helps.

 

[ronnock]

Cant plants also creat alge?

 

[slammer]

Cant plants also creat alge?

Nope. Healthy growing plants are far more efficient at absorbing nutriens from the water than the much less efficient algae. Just a few hardy plants can prevent most algae blooms even very simple floating plants like duckweed will do the trick.

Slam