How To Grow Algae?

[twodoctors]

Just wondering how to grow algae that the mbunas will eat. I once saw a very nice display tank in a not so LFS with mbunas. There were loads of nice mossy type algae on the rock work. The sight of the fishes grazing on them was amazing.

How does one grow the right type of algae for mbunas?

Adrian

 

[Fishy friend2]

I think that you are supposed to leave a cup of water with a rock in it for a while so the sun gets it and it should grow algae

 

[sheffieldlad]

Someone wrote a fantstic journal about growing the green stuff maybe a forum search would uncover the thread.
I'd find it for you and link but I'm posting from my phone.

 

[twodoctors]

Thanks.

I read somewhere that I can put some aquarium fertiliser in and leave the lights on longer than I should and it should grow. The question I guess is how to grow the "right" kind of algae for the mbunas?

Adrian

 

[raptorrex]

Thanks.

I read somewhere that I can put some aquarium fertiliser in and leave the lights on longer than I should and it should grow. The question I guess is how to grow the "right" kind of algae for the mbunas?

Adrian

in most cases, only extra light is needed.
but how to grow the correct type?

do you have anyone who has this type of algae?
if so, you could scavenge some and use the bucket and light method to let it grow.
then, I'd presume, its just a case of placing the scavenged alga e, and the water its grown in. into your tank.
remembering to increase the lighting times, in your tank too.

 

[twodoctors]

Any idea what type of algae they like? And who has that algae in their tank?

Adrian

 

[Malawi MaD]

Your water parameter's are what matter the most, aslong as all your water readings match that of the lake the algae that grows in the tank will be similar to what grows in the lake. I add lake salts to my water which add's all the right supplements for the fish, so the algae that grows is growing in the right water conditions. The mbuna in are aquariums don't need to rely on the algae as their main food source (as we are feeding them, providing the right nutrients) so, basically their just grazing on the algae to pass time as such as this is what's in their nature to do so to survive and this is how they get their food supply in the wild. Here is a pic of my recently set-up tank (fish will be added soon) all that's in this tank is the lake salts and lighting left on for a longer period of time and i now have a great amount of natural looking algae. (btw the sand isn't pink lol just looks it in the picture for some reason )

 

[twodoctors]

Your water parameter's are what matter the most, aslong as all your water readings match that of the lake the algae that grows in the tank will be similar to what grows in the lake. I add lake salts to my water which add's all the right supplements for the fish, so the algae that grows is growing in the right water conditions. The mbuna in are aquariums don't need to rely on the algae as their main food source (as we are feeding them, providing the right nutrients) so, basically their just grazing on the algae to pass time as such as this is what's in their nature to do so to survive and this is how they get their food supply in the wild. Here is a pic of my recently set-up tank (fish will be added soon) all that's in this tank is the lake salts and lighting left on for a longer period of time and i now have a great amount of natural looking algae. (btw the sand isn't pink lol just looks it in the picture for some reason )

That's what I'm talking about. Wow, lovely algae. I'll get some lake salt the next time I got to my LFS.

Being a cheapskate I am using ocean rock instead of granite. I should still grow on it shouldn't it? Also my male doesn't seem to be eating much (not in front of me anyway) and is "guarding" (hiding) the cave systems most of the time. The females are all in "open water" and don't usually venture into the male's side of the caves. I'm feeding them Spirulina flake and algae wafer. Hope that's ok.

Adrian

 

[Malawi MaD]

Thanks, Yeah it should grow fine on ocean rock. The male maybe guarding his territory or building a breeding nest ready to breed. Is he showing good colour and looking healthy?? Spirulina flake is fine and i would only give them an algae wafer every so often, NLS (new life spectrum) is a great all round food to and does enhance the colours of your fish. I get flakes from here to http/www.ta-aquaculture.co.uk/Flake_Foods.htm

Great place for food.

 

[twodoctors]

I think is the former. The male is going through its colour change, and the others 7 females are of various sizes, but I think they are all juvenile. One of them may well be a subdominat male but we shall see.

Doing a bit of reading on the salt. Do you add it to tap water yourself? Or are you using RO water with buffer and stuff? I have no intention on using RO water so I guess I will need less salt, if at all. My GH is around 8 the last time I checked about a year ago, pH 7.8

I have yet to come across NLS food in my LFS (even the further ones). Which flake do you feed your cichlids? More choices than the standards one from Tetra etc. I have go the JBL Rift Lake sticks but it doesn't soften fast enough so I don't think they are that keen on it. Same with the algae wafer which I will use less following your advice. They are therefore stuck with the Nutrafin Spirulina flake with garlic. I haven't tried fresh veg yet...

Adrian