Algea part of a healthy tank.

[Ahmad]

I have been wondering this all day.

All my tanks produce green algea. It will grow like weeds if I did not have that algea magnet.

Well anyway, Is algea a part or a sign of a healthy tank or is it just there?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Well, it depends. Green algae means you have enough light, but too much biological wastes (namely nitrogen) and perhaps too much iron and phophates. It is not at all a problem for the fish, but if there is an algae bloom and the algae all dies, your fish will die because bacteria will grow and break down the dead algae, consuming lots of O2. Plants should help a little bit, as would feeding the fish less and perhaps reducing the number of fish in the tank.

 

[fishdudein]

Some algae in a tank, in moderation, is a good thing, as far as I am concerned. When I am cleaning my tanks, the only glass that I scrape algae off of is the front glass that I look through. Most of my fish enjoy a nibble of algae now and then. Pond snails, which I grow in almost all of my tanks, feed on it, and the snails in turn become food for the fish.

As tempestuousfury said, though, if it should all die off it can be a very dangerous scenario. Feeding only what the fish can consume in 5 minutes, doing your regular partial water changes, and regulating your light duration and intensity, all go a long way to keeping algae manageable. Moderation in all things is the key.

 

[Dubby]

As far as a fish is concerned, algae is a good thing And as long as its growing in moderation I wouldnt bother. It could save you money in algae tabs

 

[Angry_Platy]

If it weren't for the algae in my tank my bristlenose fry would be non-existant....the father won't let them eat much in the way off ood I provide for them

 

[Ahmad]

Thanx for the replies.


All my tanks have Minor Green algea that I scrap off the front glass but keep some on the side and back of the tank. My fish like to nibble at it just like your fishdudein. So I spare some of the algea, But none of my tanks are infested its just there nothing to worry aboutn it being too much and harmful to the fish.


Thanx agian!