How To Infect A Tank With Algae

[mikev]

Crazy as it sounds this is what I may have to.

I have a few unusual loaches that seem to be not documented and based on the preliminary observations, are purely vegetarian: null reaction to the usual treats, like bloodworms, and catfish pellets. For a moment they are ok -- the Q-tank has enough algae, but I may have a problem after moving them to the permanent tank. Maybe they'll decide that the algae wafers are ok, maybe not....

So the question is : what would be the best kind of algae and how do I infect the tank, if it comes to it?

tia.

PS. If you wonder, this is how the fish looks like:

 

[Tempestuousfury]

A safe method of growing algae, IMO, would be to grow the algae on ornaments or rocks. The procedure is very simple: get a bucket, add old tank water, add ornament(s), let sun until you get decent algal growth. Or so many books would have be believe, though the algae that formed when I tried this never clung to the ornaments.

 

[mikev]

Thanks a lot, will try.

Hopefully it will cling --- this is intended for a tank with high current this fish needs. We'll see.

 

[Bloo]

Any idea what exactly they are ? Have you tried posting pics in the loach section for some id's ?

They look lovely btw

If you need some algae, I can send you some !

 

[mikev]

Any idea what exactly they are ? Have you tried posting pics in the loach section for some id's ?

Some idea. They are a species of Vanmanenia, similar to the one on loaches.com

http/www.loaches.com/species_pages/vanma...ainanensis.html

Then, there is a problem: nobody knows anything, including the loaches.com people, their entry (link above) was submitted by someone else, and is obviously misleading, or deals with another species.
It says But go hyperactive when they smell bloodworm., while I see a total indifference; and the guy who wrote the entry kept them in a tropical tank (hillstreams!!!).

They seem to be a loach version of an oto:

They look lovely btw

They are lovely; I could not resist....So I'm cycling a proper hillstream tank for them right now.

What really happened was when I saw them, I told the lfs to reserve all of them, but did not look carefully; it was a mix of 3 species. The 2nd species no one can figure out even approximately (!) but since they eat everything, there is no rush. The 3rd species is a cute baby P.Cheni, will have to find him friends somehow.

The reason why identification is difficult is because there are a number of species in this class, very few described, and very few seen by people. And there are new species being found too. Eventually I'll know what they are exactly, but for now it is sufficiently interesting to take them as is.

A total mess.....

If you need some algae, I can send you some !

From the UK? I doubt it would work, but thank you for the offer!

 

[Dorkhedeos]

get an incandescent light and you will have a whole bunch in a week or 2. it worked for me, but im not sure if it will work for you. many people get brown algae from this. i got brown algae when i didnt have the light and only sunlight hit the tank, once i put the light in, i started getting a carpet of green algae and the brown algae went away

 

[Bloo]

wow they are really beautiful indeed Yep sorry - didn't realise you were in the US - sending algae won't quite work. But perhaps you can get some from your lfs ? And then just adjust your conditions to induce & grow algae.

 

[Arfie]

Increase the lighting, (I am now using low energy lightbulbs on one of my tanks and algae is going nuts) and reduce the amount of fast growing plants, that should increase the algae growth. Basically, do the opposite of the normal recommendations for getting rid of/preventing algae growth.

Also try them with cucumber or courgette (zuccini), most algae eaters love them.

Arfie

 

[TammyLiz]

I was thinking maybe up the lighting and add some fertilizers, but no, that would probably just give you green or cloudy water. I'm no help.

 

[mikev]

Thanks to all!

OK, I got the idea I think. I'll check lfs for algae, and get the old-style lamp. Too bad that there is no direct sunlight where I put the tank.

This is the other species, btw:

It is less attractive, but has some merits too: the squares on top are "metallic" and reflect light a bit, and the fish itself seems to be able to adjust its color to the background. No idea at this time what the species is, only that it is from Southern China.

Also try them with cucumber or courgette (zuccini), most algae eaters love them.

Will do, thanks.

(Cannot do it right now -- the Q-tank is few times over the in/gallon ratio...)

 

[Fella]

Wow, they look great!

What I think I might do in this situation is use a few rocks in rotation. Take a tank, fill it with old tankwater (I;m assuming you don't use a UV steriliser at this point) and then add some rocks, and put a light on it 24/7. Have another couple of rocks in the aquarium. Once the rocks are covered in algae (shouldn't take long, but you could even add fertilisers if you wanted to) swap them with the ones which are not, and repeat. Should give you an everlasting supply of algae I'd guess!

The other obvious advantage of this is that none should cover your glass.

Hope that was of some use!

Craig

 

[timmystood]

They are beautiful fish!

 

[mikev]

Wow, they look great!

What I think I might do in this situation is use a few rocks in rotation. Take a tank, fill it with old tankwater (I;m assuming you don't use a UV steriliser at this point) and then add some rocks, and put a light on it 24/7. Have another couple of rocks in the aquarium. Once the rocks are covered in algae (shouldn't take long, but you could even add fertilisers if you wanted to) swap them with the ones which are not, and repeat. Should give you an everlasting supply of algae I'd guess!

The other obvious advantage of this is that none should cover your glass.

Hope that was of some use!

Craig

It most certainly was, and thank you very much.
(My added problem is that the tank the fish will go to has a strong powerhead, which would clear algae from the glass, so your rock idea may be the right thing. I'll ask the lfs about fertilizers tomorrow.)

Since some seem to like the fish images, here is one more:

This is the baby pseudogastro; unfortunately I have only one and will have to figure out how to get him some friends...if he makes it.

 

[Nevergone815]

to me the fish look like a variation of a hilltop loach, or some kind of related species. they are trully magnificent fish and are beautiful. i can see how you had the lfs reserve them for you.

Wow, they look great!

What I think I might do in this situation is use a few rocks in rotation. Take a tank, fill it with old tankwater (I;m assuming you don't use a UV steriliser at this point) and then add some rocks, and put a light on it 24/7. Have another couple of rocks in the aquarium. Once the rocks are covered in algae (shouldn't take long, but you could even add fertilisers if you wanted to) swap them with the ones which are not, and repeat. Should give you an everlasting supply of algae I'd guess!

The other obvious advantage of this is that none should cover your glass.

Hope that was of some use!

Craig

as for this method... i think that this will work wonders for you! i had trouble getting algae growth in my tank, then i just let in more sunlight into the room and kept the light on a little longer and now i have a nice algae growth going on!

 

[mikev]

to me the fish look like a variation of a hilltop loach, or some kind of related species. they are trully magnificent fish and are beautiful. i can see how you had the lfs reserve them for you.

Yes, all three species are hillstreams. They were sold under the name of "Green hillstream" (very informative ), to the store's credit they did figure out that some of the fish were gobys but not much else...

I see from your sig you have a couple too...which ones?