Is all algae bad?
- Thread starter Linda S
- Start date
in moderation no not really. it also depends on what kind of algae. many tanks there is a small amount of algae. as long as it doesnt get out of control some of it can bring a more realistic set up.
I have been reading up on this topic recently as I have a little bit of black beard algae on the output of my filter that has since turned red.
It either came in on a plant or in a fishes digestion or even on used equipment I thought was cleaned sufficiently.
It loves the high current, in nature it is found in high flowing rivers.
Extra iron is what turned it red I believe (as I recently started dosing liquid iron). Also my co2 levels have been lower recently hence stalling the plant growth allowing for more algae growth.
minor algae of most types is not bad.
Natures best lake, rivers and oceans have algae. It's just in a large amount can be unpleasant to the aquarist.
Here is a pic
It either came in on a plant or in a fishes digestion or even on used equipment I thought was cleaned sufficiently.
It loves the high current, in nature it is found in high flowing rivers.
Extra iron is what turned it red I believe (as I recently started dosing liquid iron). Also my co2 levels have been lower recently hence stalling the plant growth allowing for more algae growth.
minor algae of most types is not bad.
Natures best lake, rivers and oceans have algae. It's just in a large amount can be unpleasant to the aquarist.
Here is a pic
:iagree: There are even species of algae that are use for decoration like marimo balls.
I have some staghorn algae in one of my 29's and find the matrix fascinating, I'm not sure I want to remove it.
I don't think all algae is bad in fact I don't even scrape or remove algae at all anymore ( and no my tanks are not opaque)
When the tanks were newly set up I had some issues with algae growing out of control for sure but I have found that once I got a kind of balance of plants/fish and feeding/filtration/water changes then it just kind of became unnecessary.
I have bristlenose plecos ,various snails and shrimps that graze all the time in my tanks so I actually "grow" algae cover things in a gallon jar on a window sill to add to their tanks now as supplemental snack-age!
Its water spots and streaks that are my nemesis!!!!!
When the tanks were newly set up I had some issues with algae growing out of control for sure but I have found that once I got a kind of balance of plants/fish and feeding/filtration/water changes then it just kind of became unnecessary.
I have bristlenose plecos ,various snails and shrimps that graze all the time in my tanks so I actually "grow" algae cover things in a gallon jar on a window sill to add to their tanks now as supplemental snack-age!
Its water spots and streaks that are my nemesis!!!!!
Algae is plant, a small amount is both normal and healthy.
It's just becomes an issue when it gets out of hand. You can't see the fish, it smothers your plants, clogs your filter and generally just looks ugly.
Getting the tank in balance so it's not out of control, then letting algae eating critters and the trusty algae cleaning pad keep the tank tidy is the way to go.
I look at it like having grass in the back yard. If you do nothing it gets out of hand and the weeds take over. If you use a lawnmower, or even a sheep, you can keep it under control and it looks fine. Using chemical death to kill the grass seems to solve the problem, but who want's to live in a toxic chemical wasteland?
Ian
It's just becomes an issue when it gets out of hand. You can't see the fish, it smothers your plants, clogs your filter and generally just looks ugly.
Getting the tank in balance so it's not out of control, then letting algae eating critters and the trusty algae cleaning pad keep the tank tidy is the way to go.
I look at it like having grass in the back yard. If you do nothing it gets out of hand and the weeds take over. If you use a lawnmower, or even a sheep, you can keep it under control and it looks fine. Using chemical death to kill the grass seems to solve the problem, but who want's to live in a toxic chemical wasteland?
Ian