The Mystery Of Algae?

[Piscator]

OK, let's set this up:

Say you've got some fish in a 10 gallon tank. There are no plants, no gravel, no rocks - just water and fish. The water was boiled for one hour, then exposed to UV for five hours, so there are no life forms at all in the water. The external filter is brand new. The temp is 78 degrees. After a month or so the tank has cycled and the fish are happy as can be. Oh, and 25% of the water is changed each week, and the bottom vacuumed of all the yucky stuff.

After a few more weeks algae starts to appear on the glass. My question is: where the heck did this algae come from? In this hypothetical situation extreme measures have been taken to start the tank with 0% algae. Does it float around in the air, and simply lands in the tank? Is it in the food? Is it on the fish's scales?

This has vexed me for some time now. Help!

 

[waterdrop]

Hi, I'm a newbie too (so the heck if I know the answer!)...

but I'll bet it has got to be the fish scales, the tiny bit of water carried over within them when they are introduced and/or maybe the air -- after all we are talking single cells and they can be really, really tiny - there can be a ton of algae cells when you look through a microscope at a droplet.

I too think it would be really interesting to know though, from some expert or experienced aquarist out there!

-waterdrop-

 

[celaeno]

according to algone, tap water has algae spores. combined with light and nutrients in the water, you get algae. phosphates also encourage algae growth.

 

[Piscator]

according to algone, tap water has algae spores. combined with light and nutrients in the water, you get algae. phosphates also encourage algae growth.

Perhaps, but remember that the tap water would be boiled and then exposed to UV light for an extended time. This would kill off such spores, right?

 

[jourdy288]

according to algone, tap water has algae spores. combined with light and nutrients in the water, you get algae. phosphates also encourage algae growth.

Perhaps, but remember that the tap water would be boiled and then exposed to UV light for an extended time. This would kill off such spores, right?

Sure would. Inhale. Exhale. Algae in. Algae out. Algal spores are also in the air. I would recomend you add some plants, floating at that, they suck nutrients well.

 

[Piscator]

according to algone, tap water has algae spores. combined with light and nutrients in the water, you get algae. phosphates also encourage algae growth.

Perhaps, but remember that the tap water would be boiled and then exposed to UV light for an extended time. This would kill off such spores, right?

Sure would. Inhale. Exhale. Algae in. Algae out. Algal spores are also in the air. I would recomend you add some plants, floating at that, they suck nutrients well.

Spores in the air, eh? That would certainly explain a lot. Are there any websites that provide details on this. I've never heard of algae spores.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Are there any websites that provide details on this. I've never heard of algae spores.

Piscator, if you are genuinely interested in learning about algae, try the Barr Report. Tom Barr is just about the only person connected to this hobby that knows anything about algae, understands its causes, and how to control it.

Dave.

 

[stella the fella]

you can get rid of algae quite easily. switch the light on in the morning then after 5 hours turn off the light for approx4-5 hours