controling algae without hurting shrimps

[Robbo851]

does anyone know of a product that controls algae without hurting shrimps as i have heard that it can be damaging to their shells

 

[SRC]

Yes, it's called an algae magnet, more water changes, and/or less direct sunlight.

Don't put chemicals in your tank to kill algae...some of it is good.

 

[Robbo851]

Yes, it's called an algae magnet, more water changes, and/or less direct sunlight.

Don't put chemicals in your tank to kill algae...some of it is good.

[snapback]907660[/snapback]​

i only wanted to know if there was a product that could slow the growth of algae to make it more easily managable .i never said i wanted to kill it. there was no help in your message and i dont think there is such a need for that sarcasm

 

[SRC]

That wasn't sarcasm..it was plain, simple facts.

You can't slow anything that is alive and "grows" down by chemically treating it. Either you kill it or you leave it alone and treat it manually.

To get rid of it you can try one of 3 methods. The easiest method is simply to remove some of it (thus the algae scraper). A sometimes unrealiztic approach, if you don't have another spot for the tank, is to move the tank to reduce the amount of natural light the tank receives, if any is hitting it (sunlight causes algae to grow faster) if you can't move it...you have to deal with it other ways. A more complex method is adding live plents, this only works if you can devote the time and effort into keeping them alive.

These are taken from Pond websites, but will work with your home tank as well. The causes of algae are the same in any case. A simple GOOGLE search yielded these suggestions/facts.

Can't I just kill the algae with Chemicals?
Well, yes and no ... this will kill the algae, which will sink to the bottom, rot away, and then provide nutrients for a fresh algae bloom. This is why the bottle will tell you to keep adding new chemical every two to three weeks. It is much better for the plants and fish to treat the problem naturally instead of getting into a cycle of chemicals; and remember - algae is a plant, and anything that will kill algae, will not be good for your plants. (Many algaecides will also kill all invertebrates, e.g. snails, tadpoles, insects etc.) It is quite possible to kill all your plants with an algaecide with an incorrect dose, or a particularly warm day. Algae is also an indicator that there are too many nutrients in your pond. If you use chemicals to kill the algae, you will have clear water, but the water may not be healthy for your fish. There could be high levels of ammonia for example. The algae would consume the nitrates formed from ammonia and grow until the ammonia was used up, but if you kill the algae, the ammonia levels can keep climbing until it kills your fish.
http/www.burnswatergardens.ca/bwgfaq.html#chemicals

Well, of course other things are starting to grow, like algae, but the best way to handle algae growth is not with a algaecide (like bleach) or even a clumper, what you will want to do now is to establish a eco-system that contains other natural forms of life which work hand in hand to balance out your pond,

..so here are a few tips as to how to naturally control algae: First of all establish a good beneficial bacteria colony. Second understand that there is just so much nitrogen to go around. Nitrogen is the stuff that plant life needs to survive. Algae is plant life, so by putting other forms of plant life in your pond you slow algae growth by having the other plants use the nitrogen in the water. Sun light promotes algae growth, put a few plants outside as well as inside your pond to help shade the pond. Do not over feed your fish.

Do not clean that filter spotless each time, believe it or not, a pond filter is designed to work at it's best when it contains waste matter and a growing thriving bacteria colony.
http/www.skippysstuff.com/aditvs.htm

 

[jacblades]

i find more water changes clears up most algae.

chemicals are a short term fix for a long term problem.

but...since you asked i think algae magic (by marc weiss products) might not kill your shrimp
http/weissorganics.com/algaemagic.html