Letting Algae Grow Purposely....

[trojannemo]

hey guys.

i did some reading recently that suggested painting the sides of the tank, so that the fish would feel more secure and be more relaxed.
i can't do that since the tank is already set up, and frankly i dont like how it looks.

but i was thinking, what if i were to let the film-like algae that i clean off my glass every week just grow on the side panels....would it eventually grow to cover the entire panel? is there a side-effect to this that I should know about? any reason why it's not worth it to do? is this just a stupid idea and i should abandon it before i even start?

any comments highly appreciated! i'm always listening

 

[Colin_T]

it is fine to grow algae on the back and sides of the tank and this will help to calm the fish down. The only problem is insufficient light, you often get patchy growth along the back and sides instead of a nice even covering.

You can use a picture or coloured cardboard to cover the back and sides of the tank.

 

[smegforbrains]

You could nip to WalMart and get some plain coloured wrapping paper - much cheaper

 

[SuperColey1]

you will also find that any parts of the wall near plants that are in good health tends not to get the algae covering.

Another thing is that by letting the algae on the glass run its cycle it will eventually get to a brown crusty and very unappealing colour/texture!!!

This is what many of us do if it happens in our planted tanks, let it run its course then scrape it off when it is brown and crusty. rarely returns after that.

AC

 

[trojannemo]

You can use a picture or coloured cardboard to cover the back and sides of the tank.

You could nip to WalMart and get some plain coloured wrapping paper - much cheaper

i already have a nice planted background in place. i mentioned above i dont want to paint or cover the sides because i find it very unappealing.

if the algae thing doesnt work, then my fish will have to feel safe the way they are now or perhaps i'll add a lot of giant hairgrass or something on the sides

 

[Dan Robbins]

Why dont you make a wall of moss? Looks really stunning. Here is a link.
http/www.aquamoss.net/How%20to%20create%...moss%20wall.htm

 

[trojannemo]

Why dont you make a wall of moss? Looks really stunning. Here is a link.
[URL="http/www.aquamoss.net/How%20to%20create%...moss%20wall.htm"]http/www.aquamoss.net/How%20to%20create%...moss%20wall.htm[/URL]

wow that's pretty much what i was hoping my algae idea would turn into this sounds like a better way to do it though

thanks! i really like the idea and i'll show it to my lady, who in the end makes the decisions

 

[Dan Robbins]

I got my christmas moss of Ebay.co.uk
http/cgi.ebay.com/Christmas-Moss-Aquariu...%3A1%7C294%3A50
it grows quite quick so can be propergated with ease.

and beleive me when i say algae never looks good!

 

[Phage]

I think Cladophora aegagrophila is the only good looking algae. I have tons of algae on the glass of my tank. It is quite unsightly. I'm letting it run it's course. Most has turned brown already.

But the moss wall is a great idea. I bought Christmas moss myself and I am going to do that once I propagate enough. Only thing to watch out for is making sure the plastic pieces are secured tight against the glass with no gaps so fish can get stuck behind them and die.

This is what it would look like, but taking time to grow of course (not my image)

More stuff here
http/www.killies.com/Truthaboutmosses.htm