I Want To Grow Algae! Any Tips?

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Not sure if this is the right place for this topic, but anyhoo...
I have some hillstream loaches in my sub-tropical tank and they are dealing with the algae in there much faster than what i thought they would, sooner or later the tank is going to be sparkling clean. For most people this would be great but for me this is a problem since the hillstream loaches i have so far not paid any interest in any other type of food other than fresh algae, and i have read that fresh algae is the best diet for them so i want to continue growing it for them to eat.
I have a small spare tank with a light that i'm thinking of putting some large rounded rocks in to grow algae on, what would be the best way to grow algae as abundantly and quickly as posible on the rocks? Plant fertilisers, dirt, extra strong lighting etc? What would you recommend for some super strong algae growth?

 

[WILDER]

I'm sick of getting rid of the stuff it seems to grow well on the tank lid area.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

get a jar overdose with ferts and chuck a rock in leave on window sill for 2 days

works well for me

 

[fishboy619]

lots of light and sunlight if possable.the rock in a jar overdosed with ferts is also a good idea.but plenty of light and food (leftovers or ferts)
its funny how most people want rid of algea but you attually want some, shame you cant remove algea and post it to you like you could with other plants

 

[highfire]

Hey, good luck with your hillstream loaches.
I had one a while back but just could not get it to eat anything, and the poor thing literally starved itself to death. I was very disappointed.
I hope you get on better than I did.

 

[PoPoV]

Put your tank in the sun or leave the light on 24/7 and you got a shure fire deal.

 

[strange_screams]

lots and lots of nitrites. sunlight, and run a light at night, brown algea should form in two or three days and then green algea a day or two after that if you feed it enough, algea can also be seeded like a tank. keep on rock in there to always grow algea and rotate two or three more in and out.

i have a bettta bowl that I can't keep algea out off, I think its because its crystal and the substrate is clear betta rocks, so try clear or no substrate with a reflector underneath, this will intensify the light

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Thanks for the tips everyone !
So far with the tank which is going to be set up for the algae today i'm going to;
a. Have a clear bottom tank/no substrate, and add tin foil to the underneif of the tank to help reflect more light into it.
b. Have a large light on as much as posible (not sure how strong it is, but its been good for plant growth in the past).
c. Good mature filtration to help try and get lots of nitrates, might need to add ammonia though to keep it cycled. I might do this by adding rotting plant matter, to help create lots of nutrients as well as ammonia.
d. keep the tank by a window sill.
e. Overdose it with "Flora boost" by Interpet and perhaps some other plant fertilisers like fertiliser tablets if i can find them.

Would adding a little bit of soil/dirt to the tank help at all by improving the nutrients in the water for the algae to grow on?

 

[Sibelius]

A substrate will prevent the fish getting stressed, also it will hold the nutrients that algae like. In short, I strongly recommend you keep a substrate. Also, if you can, remove some plants, as plants prevent algae, especially fast growers.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

A substrate will prevent the fish getting stressed, also it will hold the nutrients that algae like. In short, I strongly recommend you keep a substrate. Also, if you can, remove some plants, as plants prevent algae, especially fast growers.

No this is a separate tank for growing the algae in, no fish are going to be in it .

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Brown algae: (over)dose with phosphates and silicates. Don't give enough light.

Green algae: (over)dose with nitrates and keep light on 24/7.

Round rocks are fine, but you'll harvest more algae if they're flat (ie. more surface area for the algae to land on).

Thanks for the info , can you buy plant fertilisers which contain nitrates? I think the ones i currently have don't have nitrates. Green algae is the sort of algae i want the most.