growing natural algae

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Hendre

Hendre

Bawitius
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Jan 14, 2016
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Hey people. I'm curious to see as to how people grow the more "natural" hair algae and so on in their tanks, I think it really looks great and helps with the water quality, I know Stanzzzz7 Stanzzzz7 and magpie magpie get it, what's the secret?

I'm trying to boost the naturalistic look of my tanks and I think algae is a good start :)
 
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I have no idea. LOL

Lots of light? I had a time several years back where I got some kind of imbalance - I can't remember if it was from too much light, or a nutrient issue...? And got a lot of that BBA. I did something to help cut it down because it was everywhere! But it just grows here and there now. I don't mind it as you say, it looks natural now that it's not out of control. My older DW seems to have the most of it. The edges of older leaves tend to get it, too.

I wish I could help more. You could increase your light period... Most of the time aquarists fight algae, they don't seek it! :)
 
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I want to increase the natural algae, to outcompete the annoying stuff. I'm upping my game by hopefully switching to 3 x t8 led tubes and using liquid co2, maybe even EI dosing eventually :)
 
I find an influx of natural sun light helps.
I have one of my tanks near a window that gets the morning sun shining in to it.
I get more algea in this tank than any of the others.
I love the look of it on decor. On a down side,I get fed up with keep cleaning it off the front glass.
 
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I get LOTS on the tops of my rocks using a Marineland 3-strip LED bar (2 white, 1 blue). Though it also builds up quickly on the glass top (which is a pain to scrape/clean off - wish I could get the snails to go upside down, lol!)

I've thought about moving the tank in front of a window, but also concerned about how much would build up on the glass side (though if I do that, I may get a decorative backing for it, which will help keep it down).

I also love the "life" it give the rocks - make it look kind of like coral :)
 
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I have Phosphate in my water so when I add too much light I get blue green algae like Cyanobacteria.
If I plant lightly and keep up with water changes I can get some dark green hair algae.
 
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My tank is near a window, but by the sounds of it all the algae you guys get is a pain :eek:

It's annoying scrubbing down an entire 70 gallon with a kitchen sponge
 
Looks awesome! Will have to try that on a more hardscape centred tank, I'm getting 3 buckets of plants from someone here so I doubt there will be algae space
 
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