Is it safe for plants and fish to let algae grow?
- Thread starter Finthusiast
- Start date
I know you've seen this video before Azul imovie edit but this time watch the back ground, it is uropthalmus endemic habitat.
The rocks and substrate are covered in many different species of brown, red and green algae.
I am one of those who try to promote algae in my sump/refugiums, turning them into algae scrubbers, because of the algal
ability to provide better water quality as it uses nitrate and other nuisance nutrients.
And for many cichlids (including young uropthalmus) algae can be a majority portion of their diet.
Below when algae gets too thick in my sumps, I pull off clumps, and feed it to my Andinoacara cichlids.
It also doesn't compete that well with higher plants, as long as the plants in the same tank, are well established, and there are enough of them.
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The rocks and substrate are covered in many different species of brown, red and green algae.
I am one of those who try to promote algae in my sump/refugiums, turning them into algae scrubbers, because of the algal
ability to provide better water quality as it uses nitrate and other nuisance nutrients.
And for many cichlids (including young uropthalmus) algae can be a majority portion of their diet.
Below when algae gets too thick in my sumps, I pull off clumps, and feed it to my Andinoacara cichlids.
It also doesn't compete that well with higher plants, as long as the plants in the same tank, are well established, and there are enough of them.
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There are certain types of algae-like entities you do not want in tanks if possible.
One type is Cyanobacteria, below.
Notice the tank is not very brightly lit, cyanobacteria is less dependent on light for its existence, than true algae.
It is often called slime algae, or blue green algae..
Most true algae feels gritty or fibrous, Cyanobacteria on the other hand, feels slimy.
I used Rid-X in the tank with the slimy log, to promote bacteria that out compete the Cyanobacteria.
Below, the same log, after a month or two of using Rid-X
If you use a large enough population of higher plants, this also provides competition.
In your case, since your uropthalmus is a bit jumpy about bright lights, some floating plants might be a good addition to make the cichlid less stressed, and compete with any non-wanted algae.
One type is Cyanobacteria, below.
Notice the tank is not very brightly lit, cyanobacteria is less dependent on light for its existence, than true algae.
It is often called slime algae, or blue green algae..
Most true algae feels gritty or fibrous, Cyanobacteria on the other hand, feels slimy.
I used Rid-X in the tank with the slimy log, to promote bacteria that out compete the Cyanobacteria.
Below, the same log, after a month or two of using Rid-X
If you use a large enough population of higher plants, this also provides competition.
In your case, since your uropthalmus is a bit jumpy about bright lights, some floating plants might be a good addition to make the cichlid less stressed, and compete with any non-wanted algae.
Man that is a good read to wake up to, I appreciate the info! I have been trying to find the right plants to add to my 75g. What would you recommend for floating plants that are easy to grow? I cant really do plants that grow outside the water because there is no light for them other than the aquarium led.
There has been some algae starting to grow over my moneywart. I am attaching a photo of the beginning of this growth its kinda hard to see but can you check it out and tell me what you think I should do to keep plants healthy? Is there any way to deter growth in a certain area and still get algae on the glass/certain objects? Thanks so much for adding to this thread
duanes
! I will check out that video again thanks for being so informative!
There has been some algae starting to grow over my moneywart. I am attaching a photo of the beginning of this growth its kinda hard to see but can you check it out and tell me what you think I should do to keep plants healthy? Is there any way to deter growth in a certain area and still get algae on the glass/certain objects? Thanks so much for adding to this thread
duanes
! I will check out that video again thanks for being so informative!
There are many plants that grow well either floating or rooted, whether they are all suited for your particular bulbs, will be trial and error
water Sprite (Ceratopterus) is commonly available.
Myriophylum is another (probably invassive) in Florida, and found everywhere.
Salvinia is a common floater, and known for removing nutrients.
water Sprite (Ceratopterus) is commonly available.
Myriophylum is another (probably invassive) in Florida, and found everywhere.
Salvinia is a common floater, and known for removing nutrients.
Awesome, thanks for the suggestions! I have read a little about water sprite I forgot all about it tho lol. Do you suggest I add any nutrients to the water? Or should I go without adding nutrients and see how they do on their own? Thanks again for the help duanes, I am so thankful to you and the others here who have been guiding me along!
side note: just noticed my spiderwood that I just added to the tank started growing an odd “fuzzy” looking algae all over. Already looked it up and it says it will go away and is harmless but just wonderingwhat are your 2¢ on this?
side note: just noticed my spiderwood that I just added to the tank started growing an odd “fuzzy” looking algae all over. Already looked it up and it says it will go away and is harmless but just wonderingwhat are your 2¢ on this?
Looks like a type of typical fungus that grows on newly added branches, it usually goes away after a while.
I don't add nutrients, I just do lots of water changes to replace minerals, and let the fish add the rest.
I don't add nutrients, I just do lots of water changes to replace minerals, and let the fish add the rest.
Will this stuff getting sucked into filter cause me to need a cleaning of media? Im not too knowledgable about media Should I make a post on this? I have taken a video of my filtration set up just so I could ask if it looks like it will work and what to expect.
