Is it safe for plants and fish to let algae grow?

[Finthusiast]

Mainly the topic, is algae “bad” for fish and/or plants? If so to what degree? And how can I stop it from growing without reducing light (so plants still get enough light)?
Attaching an image of the algae I am growing in my 75 gallon freshwater tank ph is around 8.2 I keep lights on ten hours a day and plants are thriving. My main question is the danger of algae to my plants and fish how “bad”is it?
Thanks for any advice!


the algae is growing almost all on the back of the tank so I dont mind leaving it there if it is harmless. I will clean front and sides but leave back covered if thats ok for the fish/plants

 

[fishhead0103666]

I’d try getting rid of some excess nutrients and getting some fast growing plants. Anarcharis and duckweed are good for that.

 

[twentyleagues]

Algea on the glass and rocks is harmless and in reality healthy for tank and inhabitants. You however do not want the algea growing on the plants or if a filiment type to out grow your plants and take their light.

 

[Finthusiast]

Awesome info thanks for the fast responses! I did not know that faster growing plants would decrease algae growth that is great news! I planned to add more plants just havent yet I will just keep letting this grow for now and add plants in near future I may need to buy them, where would you recommend to find these you mentioned?
Edit all my current plants were from a local lake got for free lol. Dont know where to find good price plants

 

[Oughtsix]

Search for algae filter. Some people actually actively colonize algae (usually in a sump with its own light) because it does a good job of consuming the Nitrogen compounds. Algae like you have shown should not have any adverse affect on your fish.

Algae and plants compete to a certain degree for nutrients, so algae might slow plant growth a bit but the amount you are showing would not concern me in the least.

Snails do a good job of keeping my tank clean of algae without disturbing my plants. Seachem Flourish will add soluble carbon for your plants while inhibiting algae.

It looks like your tank is relatively new? My planted tanks seem to take about a year to come to an equilibrium after which the initial fight against run away algae pretty much just goes away. My snail population seems to balance with the algae growth and with the plants consuming nitrogen compounds too they all eventually just fall into a balance.

... you posted the second picture while I was posting. Your plants will eventually take off and out compete the algae for nutrients... this is what I referred to as reaching an equilibrium. It will take a while but your tank will get there.

 

[Finthusiast]

Yes new tank have not added fish it is about ready. Nitrogen cycle already complete, just doing finishing touches. I am waiting for dechlorinator (bought online) to do a water change and then add my mayan cichlid. and eventually I will add more plants with this being the best case for what I was planning for this tank!

 

[Oughtsix]

After your tank cycles... i.e. built up enough nitrifying bacteria... there are still usually some bumps before everything settles down. I always seem to have some plant die off as they get adjusted to the changing water parameters. I also usually go through a period of much more algae than you currently have and always seem to do a bit of battle with the algae before everything settles. I am not trying to scare you... just don't be surprised and panic when these happen... to me it is just a natural part of establishing the tank.

I like this board for the broad range of knowledge and nice people... but I go to plantedtank.net for plants. A lot of plant focused hobbyist there that will sell off the clippings from their overgrown tanks for good prices. Most of my plants have come from members of that board.

Where are you located?

 

[Finthusiast]

Alright thanks for that bit of heads up! I feel good knowing that if anything does happen, I got you MFK brothers and sisters lol! Glad to be a part of this community of fish lovers.

 

[Finthusiast]

Located in Florida space coast. Thanks for the tips I feel much better and will keep updates coming as the time progresses!

Edit: (sorry I keep doing that lol) here’s a pic of my entire tank, the previious plant pic may have been exaggerated with the angle I chose lol. Basically will I need more plants or do you think these are enough to start off?

 

[THOSranger]

Do you happen to know the name of the plants? I know you said you picked them up from a lake but maybe you know their name?