Algae control
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There was a day when we talked fish and aquariums a lot here, but most club online messaging has now moved to our Facebook group, which is much busier. The nwaas.com website is now only used to promote our club's meetings and events. To reach our very active Facebook group, please go here for a better response to your posts: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nwaas
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Annabellam
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Algae control
Hi. Just wondering how you control algae growth in an aquarium. Does turning on lights on and off got to do anything with making them thrive or what could be encouraging extra growth?
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mewickham
- NWAAS President
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Re: Algae control
Light plus nutrients equals algae. Maybe. It depends on how much light. It depends on how many nutrients, what type, and what proportions. And it depends on whether there are competitors to use those nutrients (plants) and/or herbivores to eat the algae faster than it grows. And there are different types of algae that prosper depending on the conditions.
Generally, the best way to prevent algae problems is to have a well-planted aquarium with strong light (2-5 watts per gallon, 12-14 hrs/day)-- so that the plants can grow and will need to use nutrients. Plants compete with algae for nutrients and tend to outcompete it. Still, it's useful to have herbivores as an additional control. Otocinclus, plecostomus, and Siamese algae eaters are great choices. The latter eat the dreaded hair algae that develop in some tanks.
Generally, the best way to prevent algae problems is to have a well-planted aquarium with strong light (2-5 watts per gallon, 12-14 hrs/day)-- so that the plants can grow and will need to use nutrients. Plants compete with algae for nutrients and tend to outcompete it. Still, it's useful to have herbivores as an additional control. Otocinclus, plecostomus, and Siamese algae eaters are great choices. The latter eat the dreaded hair algae that develop in some tanks.
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cbaranyk
- NWAAS Vice President
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Re: Algae control
Florida Flag fish also eat hair algae.
I employ all 3 Mike mentioned, plus Amano shrimp, and Nerite Snails.
Cleaner fish/inverts are the best way to cure algae.
I also use UV sterilizers, over filtration, frequent water changes, fast growing plants, and floating plants (water lettuce anyone?)
Good luck, algae is always a challenge in fish tanks.
Chris
I employ all 3 Mike mentioned, plus Amano shrimp, and Nerite Snails.
Cleaner fish/inverts are the best way to cure algae.
I also use UV sterilizers, over filtration, frequent water changes, fast growing plants, and floating plants (water lettuce anyone?)
Good luck, algae is always a challenge in fish tanks.
Chris
Chris Baranyk
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JoanneDisFan
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- Location: Bentonville, AR
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Re: Algae control
Check out these sites. How to treat depends on the type of algae. It's a challenge to find the right balance of everything.
http://www.tropicalfishsite.com/types-of-algae-growth-found-in-the-home-aquarium/
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=446
http://www.tropicalfishsite.com/types-of-algae-growth-found-in-the-home-aquarium/
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=446
Joanne Johnson
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Annabellam
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Re: Algae control
Thank you guys for the advice. I'll keep reading up as well.
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Annabellam
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Re: Algae control
Stilll on the same note, how do you clean up decorative rocks in your tanks?
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JoanneDisFan
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Re: Algae control
Take them out and spray or coat with hydrogen peroxide. Wait a few minutes and then scrub it off. Rinse well before returning to the tank.
Joanne Johnson
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Annabellam
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Re: Algae control
JoanneDisFan wrote:Take them out and spray or coat with hydrogen peroxide. Wait a few minutes and then scrub it off. Rinse well before returning to the tank.
Thank you.