Fry tank algae

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Beetlebug515

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jul 28, 2015
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So I'm growing out fry from my p. Scalare in a 20 gallon currently. This is my second batch of grow outs and all is going well so far. I recently threw a Finnex planted plus led on there because I hate the CFL that the tank came with so many years ago. This is currently causing a massive algae outbreak. It makes sense. High lighting coupled with no plants. So I'm sitting here now, doing a water change when I had......... a thought!!!

Algae are consumers of Nitrate, phosphate, and silicate. Why not just let the algae go nuts? If I get enough growing, it could result in cleaner water for my fry. The tank is bare and in my garage, so I don't really care what it looks like. Any thoughts?
 
I let the algae grow on my goldfish frys tank (when my babies were actually babies :D) and I don't think it hurt them? If anything I think it gave them a food source to nibble on between feedings, I constantly seen them picking at it.. If its not going to annoy you looking at it, why not leave it there? :) just my opinion.

Edit: This may depend on the kind of algae, idk if the fry would get tangled in certain types and not be able to get free. :)
 
Do you think that a large algae growth would make a difference in the water parameters? Thinking about transplanting some green hair algae from my planted tank.
 
Do you think that a large algae growth would make a difference in the water parameters? Thinking about transplanting some green hair algae from my planted tank.
If there was enough of it I don't see why not? However for all I know this could be an amount to large to actually fit in the tank before you'd notice a difference, or it could be a tiny amount and make a huge difference. I guess it would depend on a couple of different factors as to how much it would consume to begin with (eg high light). Might pay to wait for someone more knowledgeable to chime in. :)
 
FYI. At night algae uses oxygen. I wouldn't let it get too outta hand.
And this is why we wait for those more knowledgeable. :)
 
So I'm growing out fry from my p. Scalare in a 20 gallon currently. This is my second batch of grow outs and all is going well so far. I recently threw a Finnex planted plus led on there because I hate the CFL that the tank came with so many years ago. This is currently causing a massive algae outbreak. It makes sense. High lighting coupled with no plants. So I'm sitting here now, doing a water change when I had......... a thought!!!

Algae are consumers of Nitrate, phosphate, and silicate. Why not just let the algae go nuts? If I get enough growing, it could result in cleaner water for my fry. The tank is bare and in my garage, so I don't really care what it looks like. Any thoughts?
Green algae is fine and will get eaten by various organisms, however it's the other colors you want to avoid like brown, purple, etc.....they will not be consumed by anything TMK and can be harmful. I'm sure there are a variety of fish or critters you can safely keep w/ your fry that will enjoy the wholesome chunks of green-goodness :)
 
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I let green algae grow in kribensis aquarium, and mother babies would graze on the algae. Lots of nutritious micro organisms in good algae. :)
 
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