Algae

[rabidric]

In my largest tank (400l) I have a Plec, a couple of Farlowella, a number of Apple Snails and now one CAE. I did have more but a few of the snails and CAE have died recently and I'm concerned they aren't getting enough to eat. The tank did have a lot of obvious algae but they've cleaned that up completely, as far as I can see, so I've upped the number of algae wafers I put in. Is there any way to encourage more algal growth to provide them with "natural" food, the snails aren't quick at getting to the wafers or possibly in even realising that they are food! The tank is in the conservatory so gets loads of natural light but I could easily leave the lights on if that would help.

What do you reckon?

 

[shroob]

I think leaving the lights on would help, more light should mean more algea, though with the amount of algea eaters you have, it might be gone as soon as it arrives. You could add more nutrients to promote growth (though I dont know alot about this).

 

[Ian H]

low amounts of co2 make alage grow like crazy i think?

 

[three-fingers]

Unstable CO2 and lots of available nutrients will encourage algae.

So a DIY CO2 kit and some liquid aquatic plant fertiliser should do great.

 

[SJ2K]

And let your nitrate go up a little shouldnt harm your fish atall and can be food for algae

 

[rabidric]

It's quite a well planted tank so we've got CO2 and added nutrients. I must be honest and say that I check the ammonia and nitrite but tend to let the nitrate go a bit in an effort to help with the plant growth. Last check, sunday, and the ammonia and nitrites were 0. So low in fact that I re ran the tests cos the colour was so pale. Use an Interpet kit by the way. I didn't think we had too many algae munchers in there but maybe you're right on that front too and we put big chunks of cucumber in every day and the inside of the tank always looks a little "dirty" (that is there's like a bloom over it) with tracks in it where they feed.

I'll give the light idea a try and maybe stick with the algae wafers in the interim.

 

[Zeoth]

Lol. While your trying so hard to get Algea. I've been breaking my back trying to get rid of it! Wanna trade?

 

[rabidric]

I'll pay the postage if you can get some in an envelope!!!!

 

[backtotropical]

Have some of mine for free!

 

[eschaton]

If you're growing plants successfully, don't expect to grow much algae. Plants and algae compete for nutrients. With a healthy tank of fast-growing plants, there are simply too few resources to get thriving algal growth.

 

[rabidric]

Well upped the time the lights were on for and added more fertilizer (yes proper stuff for the tank) and lo and behold we have algae! Result, now all I hope is the little devils can keep up with it, if not I'll have to clean the tank!

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[rabidric]

Oh do I have algae!! Lights off during the day for a while I think. The algae eaters can't keep up. One day I'll get it right, but not today, or yesterday or the day before that or last week and probably not this side of christmas either.

Too much cure at once, next time one thing at a time but I was worried for the fish.

 

[fourthtimelucky]

This is just a thought but I have glass fishbowls, jamjars etc full of spare plants etc all along my bathroom windowsill at the moment awaiting the next re-scape of my tank. They get no direct sunlight, but indirect natural light all day and the jars etc get COVERED with algae within a week or so. You could always set up a similar 'algae farm' and rotate the jars - popping one in the tank once it's got all green and furry and then pulling it back out and putting it back on the windowsill for more growth when the little critters have slurped it clean.