Excess plants and algae

[jcarson]

Hey MFk
Can an over planted tank and or excess algae by negative to fish's health?
Can fish (peacocks & haps) mainly fry become overrun?
Im not even sure of the question I want to ask lol but I think Ive worded it the best I could.
Hoping somebody gets what Im trying to ask.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

Hey MFk
Can an over planted tank and or excess algae by negative to fish's health?
Can fish (peacocks & haps) mainly fry become overrun?
Im not even sure of the question I want to ask lol but I think Ive worded it the best I could.
Hoping somebody gets what Im trying to ask.

Nah. Though excess algae is usually a symptom of high bioload, nutrients and probably poor water quality. Which CAN be bad for a fish's health.

Over planted tank...Maybe if there isn't enough room for the fish to swim, or the water is stagnant, but that's probably to a ridiculous extreme.

 

[Wharf]

I think water quality is more important. Most species of algae can tell you what's wrong or right about your water excess nutrients etc. Only thing I could think of too many plants causing is room issues, but not really. I would check your lighting, lighting cycle, or check your water quality...

 

[esoxlucius]

Am I missing something here? Please correct me if i'm wrong anyone but I thought peacocks and haps were African cichlids from lake malawi. I'm pretty sure all the African cichlid tanks i've seen are sandy bottom with rocks, no plants at all!

Have I made a relevant observation? I'm not a cichlid guy so please educate me if i'm wrong.

 

[Niki_up]

Am I missing something here? Please correct me if i'm wrong anyone but I thought peacocks and haps were African cichlids from lake malawi. I'm pretty sure all the African cichlid tanks i've seen are sandy bottom with rocks, no plants at all!

Have I made a relevant observation? I'm not a cichlid guy so please educate me if i'm wrong.

Your observations seem correct to me, any plants in a tank with peacocks and haps are subject to being eaten and dig up.

 

[duanes]

There are different micro habitats in the rift lakes, open sandy areas, rocky shoals, and places where plants abound.
In many cases depth (where sunlight can reach) and substrate is the determiner whether plants will survive or not.
That aside, higher plants are not a problem for fish, especially in tanks because they tend to improve water quality.
Tanks like mine, that are heavily planted do have day /night pH swings though.
During the day plant give off oxygen, and use carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight, helping to slightly raise pH.
But at night without sunlight, plants use oxygen, and give off carbon dioxide lowering pH (carbonic acids).
If I take an early morning pH reading of my tank it may read 7.8 pH, if I take another sample in late afternoon, that sample may show a pH of 8.0, or even 8,2.
Most algae serves a similar function, but.....there are certain types, like cyanobacteria and a few other pollution loving algal species that can have negative effects on higher forms of life like fish.


My 180 gal in the photos above , and video below, nitrate level averages less than 5 ppm, it is stocked with 15 fish @ 5"( 12 cichlids, 2 tetras, 1 Pleco), and one 10" goby.

Goby muggin camera

 

[duanes]

Aquatic plants in lake tanganyika - please note it is incorrect to ...www.pinterest.com › pin
There are also large beds of Vallisneria, in sandy sunlit area in Lake Malawi where certain cichlids eat them, and other cichlids like Fossorochromis rostratus, hunt.

 

[jcarson]

Your observations seem correct to me, any plants in a tank with peacocks and haps are subject to being eaten and dig up.

Not worried about them being eating up, if that happens then good!

There are different micro habitats in the rift lakes, open sandy areas, rocky shoals, and places where plants abound.
In many cases depth (where sunlight can reach) and substrate is the determiner whether plants will survive or not.
That aside, higher plants are not a problem for fish, especially in tanks because they tend to improve water quality.
Tanks like mine, that are heavily planted do have day /night pH swings though.
During the day plant give off oxygen, and use carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight, helping to slightly raise pH.
But at night without sunlight, plants use oxygen, and give off carbon dioxide lowering pH (carbonic acids).
If I take an early morning pH reading of my tank it may read 7.8 pH, if I take another sample in late afternoon, that sample may show a pH of 8.0, or even 8,2.
Most algae serves a similar function, but.....there are certain types, like cyanobacteria and a few other pollution loving algal species that can have negative effects on higher forms of life like fish.
View attachment 1405914
View attachment 1405915
My 180 gal in the photos above , and video below, nitrate level averages less than 5 ppm, it is stocked with 15 fish @ 5"( 12 cichlids, 2 tetras, 1 Pleco), and one 10" goby.
View attachment 1405916
Goby muggin camera

thank you all!