Algae-something nice

[Bling]

I just read the great post on different forms of algae, and how to get rid of it. But is it all so bad? Wherever there's algae, there's the lowest nitrate readings. I know it does seem to take control, but there's this tremendous benefit I've found, at least from hair algae (or thread, I'm not sure which): as you wind it out, you can be bonding with your fish, fussing with your tank, WITHOUT FEEDING THEM! As someone who feels compelled to feed every time they beg, this is a great alternative. And yes, my fish do come around and watch. Strange as it sounds, it's one of our nicest activities "together".

 

[Synirr]

I've got some hair algae growing on part of my driftwood that actually looks rather nice... it's pretending to be moss

 

[BOD]

i have algae growing on my wood i think it looks quite good a bit of greeness amoungst the brown

 

[evofish]

i wouldnt mind getting some algae! what could i do to get some i have live plants and lights are on 4 14 hours a day

 

[Tempestuousfury]

No, it is not bad, though certain forms of algae do not look good so are removed.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I just read the great post on different forms of algae, and how to get rid of it. But is it all so bad? Wherever there's algae, there's the lowest nitrate readings. I know it does seem to take control, but there's this tremendous benefit I've found, at least from hair algae (or thread, I'm not sure which): as you wind it out, you can be bonding with your fish, fussing with your tank, WITHOUT FEEDING THEM! As someone who feels compelled to feed every time they beg, this is a great alternative. And yes, my fish do come around and watch. Strange as it sounds, it's one of our nicest activities "together".

Not all fish eat hair algae and you shouldn't depend on it to feed them as it doesn't offer all the nutrition they need unless they are natural born total algae eating fish themselves- the reason why you get lower nitrates is because algae is a plant and plants take up nitrates in the tank, you would see the same effect you added a bunch of live plants to the tank.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

actually, there's a difference between plants and algae in that most plants will first use available ammonia, then nitrates. algae will always go straight for the nitrates, hence its common appearance in poorly maintained tanks.

my only complaint about algae growth is that i like red cryptacornes. and algae likes to completely overpower slow-growing, broad-leaved plants. i also don't really care for the inky-dinky green dots that try to cover my glass. fortunately, i love snails and algae eaters--"between them both, they licked the platter clean"

(also, i believe the statement wasn't that Bling relies on hair algae as a food source, but a distraction from over-feeding.) (a proud owner of a puffer, guppies, and buenos aires tetras, i understand the power a begging fish can have in the presence of a food jar )

 

[Seahorse]

Some algae is nice, like on my fake rock looking caves. It makes it look even more natural and real.

Some is just gross though, this one tank I have gets this icky brown algae on the walls in various spots. It wipes away easily, but still so gross.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I don't have algae in my main tanks mostly due to the plecs i keep in them, although i did get it once in my fry tank which has no algae eaters but i found just adding loads of live plants sorted that problem out .

 

[pica_nuttalli]

it is true that adding plants is an excellent way to combat algae, but that's more due to the fact that plants make more efficient use of photosynthesis and faster-growing plants are better at soaking up nutrients other than the chemicals produced by the nitrogen cycle.