figuring out algae...

[Magnum Man]

I've come to the conclusion, that algae is more about tank conditions than light... my main tank lights, are on my schedule, and are on 16.5 hours per day average... just looking at my 4 main tanks, right now, 2 of them never grow algae, that requires cleaning the glass, even though one is a 24 inch deep tank, with 2 full length LED aquarium lights, the other two tanks only need a little polishing of the front glass occasionally, in this 2nd group, there is a tank just settling into maturity, that is also 24 inches deep, and has 2 full length LED's... all my tanks have additional plant LED lights, that come on, an hour before, and stay on, an hour after my main lights...

so, there is more to algae than light... most of my tanks have several terrestrial plants growing out of them, some provide natural shade for the tank, but some of the tanks, are only partially shaded, but heavily rooted by these plants...

I don't add any fertilizers, but my tanks are pretty heavily stocked with fish ( they are also highly filtered ) there is enough fish waste, for several varieties of anubis and Java fern to thrive , so the tanks are not totally devoid of compounds the plants need to survive... but I expect my rooted terrestrial plants are pulling a lot out of the water, and there is just not enough, for algae to thrive...

In this Hillstream tank, I'm actually trying to grow algae for the fish, so the plants chosen, provide very little shade, so are just lucky bamboo, and there are pothos vine roots, but the vines that grow across this tank, have the leaves trimmed off, ( just above this tank, so as not to shade the tank ) so the tank gets full light... this is one tank that needs an occasional polish... I tried to take a picture of a months build up of algae, the tank is due for a polish...

are you having algae issues??? what do you do to control it???

 

[Magnum Man]

this anubis is growing as aggressively, as an anubis will grow, yet it's been 6-9 months since this tank had the glass cleaned, but there is a peace lily, with a 24 inch root ball in this tank, that partially shades about 1/3 of the tank... I feel some sort of balance is required... but my light, a lot of people would say is on for an excessive amount of time

 

[MaloK]

Are you having algae issues??? what do you do to control it???

My issue is having a good balance between algae and plants. I want both. All the glasses (except front) covered in algae all the free substrate space.. And the plants exempt of any in the middle.

I'm looking at new ways to get a tank seasoned rapidly and it includes during the cycle to promote as much of the ugly stuff as possible.

Whatever it's form. As long as it's green it's good. Then once the tank grow some hairs. Do a good cleanup without touching the walls and substrate too much. Install your plants, add live stock.

I have a snail tank that all glasses is going to become opaque from algae really soon.

It's filled with a thriving Java fern jungle that has rolling rhizomes spinning around.

And there is not a sign of algae on the java fern. The leaves are so clean, there not much snails in them because there nothing to eat. They are all on the glasses.

It's an ugly sight. But it proves the point I'm trying to asses. it's the base of an healthy tank.

While they are plants too they operate on a somewhat different nutrient range and both together have a more balanced spectrum.

If that makes sense.