[jmhart]

You missed a method. An Algae Refugium. I have a 10G tank under my 75G tank full of algae, and the light is on 24/7 to maximize algae growth. Why? Because if the algae grows well in my refugium it eats all the nutrients before algae can grow in your display tank where conditions are not as good (not as much light).

Stick a couple snails in the refugium to eat the algae and continue the cycle and it REALLY keeps your display tank from being overgrown. It does not stop the algae from growing but it stunts its growth by consuming the nutrients first.

I know this is a very popular method among reefers, but it doesn't directly apply to FW planted setups. Sure, there are the occasional ammonia spikes that need to be sucked up, but for the most part, algae in FW planted tanks is not caused by excess nutrients.


I put emphasis on that last bit, not just for you, but for everyone. I think that's the hardest concept for people to accept.

 

[DarkCobra]

Jmhart, I think you've done a fantastic job at creating this guide. There are always things that could be added, but conciseness is a virtue. I didn't see any critical flaws.

 

[farmhand]

I know this is a very popular method among reefers, but it doesn't directly apply to FW planted setups.

I have played with growing algae in a freshwater sump to control it in my tank, and was unsuccessful at it. :icon_frow But still am intrigued by the idea. After reading the thread "healthy plants = no algae WHY??", it seems more is known about what does not cause algae (ie. high N03), but ultimately not what causes it.
The fact that excess nutrients do not cause algae, does not disprove that growing algae to control it would work. Nor does it prove it.
Great Thread! Thanks for the info.

 

[plantbrain]

If you use a scrubber aeration box, or a vertical substrate sheet, algae scrubbers work well, but it's much more efficient to use plants in the fuges than micro algae.

Plants like emergent water sprite, peace lilies, moss, etc work great

But it's not about export of nutrients for most planted tanks with CO2, it's much more about plant dominance and stability. We add nutrients, not really want to export, so the goals are very different for the diaplay and the fuge, this is also true for marine systems.

You can have a planted marine tank where you have to dose and add ferts.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[jmhart]

After reading the thread "healthy plants = no algae WHY??", it seems more is known about what does not cause algae (ie. high N03), but ultimately not what causes it.

It's funny that you should mention that, because we as a hobby focus so much on how NOT to grow algae, than when somebody needs to, often they can't figure out how.

 

[jmhart]

Jmhart, I think you've done a fantastic job at creating this guide. There are always things that could be added, but conciseness is a virtue. I didn't see any critical flaws.

Thanks for the compliment! I was inspired after reading someone's thread about an SAE wreaking havoc in their tank.

 

[plantbrain]

This link to the article is one of the best in dealing with the over balance with light and CO2.

http://www.tropica.com/advising/technical-articles/biology-of-aquatic-plants/co2-and-light.aspx

95% of algae control is growing plants and good management for your goal.
The big players there are mostly light and CO2.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[jplove25]

SAE: The true Siamese Algae Eater, C. Siamensis. When SAEs are young (6 months or less) they eat the hard stuff and work their way down, which is cool. They start out with string algae, BBA, and clado, and then start working on GSA and GDA once the other stuff disappears. SAEs are social fish and should be in groups no less than 3, but 5 is really a much better number. SAEs have SEVERAL large downsides. First off, they get big, really big, like 6+ inches...digest the last two sentences: they should be in groups of 5+ and grow to 6+ inches. In case you can't put it together, these fish need AT LEAST a 55g tank but really belong in a 75g+. On top of all that, after about 6 months, they stop eating algae, and instead turn to anything and everything else: shrimp, small fish, hairgrass, moss....anything and everything but algae. So now you've got a bunch of huge fish that don't eat algae, great. But wait, there's more! SAEs also become more and more territorial as they get older and they'll quickly turn on your other fish. In short, these are not the miracle fish you've been led to believe.

I think you have the SAE mistaken for the Flying Fox? I've kept a group of 5 true SAE's in my 75g for over two years now. I think they are maxed in size at about 4 1/2 - 5 inches. They do not eat my small fish or mosses. I can't comment on shrimp since i have never had any in my tank. They are only semi aggressive with each other and my Red Tail Shark bullies them all.

You did a great job with this article but in my personal experience i have never had a problem with the SAE's.

 

[Lycosa]

Nice article and well written. Hopefully a few that are getting ready to kick the hobby over algae will find some relief here.

 

[DevonCloud]

Very nice write-up Jm. My tank was recently overrun by algae. I had the BBA all over my lace java fern, peacock moss, and glass. I tried the Excel overdose method I had read about and it did nothing. Finally I had to remove my plants and hit them with 3% H2O2 which seemed to work very well. Afterwards I dumped about 20oz of H2O2 into the tank and let it circulate for about 30 mins. Did a 60% water change and cranked the CO2 up till the drop checker was in the yellow (no fish in there at the moment).

Keeping my fingers crossed, but after two days, the algae seems to be dying off of the plants and the glass and substrate look clean. Going to invest in some Amano shrimp once I get ready to re-stock this tank.

 

[jmhart]

SAE:

I think you have the SAE mistaken for the Flying Fox? I've kept a group of 5 true SAE's in my 75g for over two years now. I think they are maxed in size at about 4 1/2 - 5 inches. They do not eat my small fish or mosses. I can't comment on shrimp since i have never had any in my tank. They are only semi aggressive with each other and my Red Tail Shark bullies them all.

You did a great job with this article but in my personal experience i have never had a problem with the SAE's.

FYI, I am not confusing SAEs with Flying Fox.

 

[plantbrain]

I hate SAE's:icon_mad:
Lazy good fer nuthing after they get bigger.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[mordalphus]

This is a great thread, why isn't it stickied? I probably found more information in this thread than I did looking at the last 5 pages of "help me, help me", and most of the "help me, help me" threads could be taken care of by reading this one thread...

I suggest someone either sticky this thread, or compose a stickied thread that points to this and other very helpful algae threads.

 

[macclellan]

Good 'article' overall, but the section on RCS applies equally for many other non-Amano shrimp (Tigers, Snowballs, etc.), and a discussion of H2O2 is missing alongside the glut discussion.

This is a great thread, why isn't it stickied? I probably found more information in this thread than I did looking at the last 5 pages of "help me, help me", and most of the "help me, help me" threads could be taken care of by reading this one thread...

I suggest someone either sticky this thread, or compose a stickied thread that points to this and other very helpful algae threads.

This forum is shy on adding worthy subforums and stickies, rather unfortunately. There should at least be a sticky of useful threads like this one. There is a HUGE gap between the few articles on the site and the knowledge buried in the forum.

 

[mordalphus]

Yes, and I found it quite unsettling that this post was on page 5 between "omg, WHAT IS THIS" and "HELP!!! I HAET ALGAE!!", and that I had to wade through 5 pages just to see this one. It makes me wonder how many more useful articles were compiled but that I'll never see... Because hell if I'm gonna wade through every page to find the diamonds


Instead, make a sticky called "Useful information about algae" or "Threads about combating algae" and then have a list of links... Lots of forums do this because it is a great way to organize information. Instead, we have "OMG, ALGAE IS KILLING MY HC, WHAT DO I DO!?!??11" posts that have to be answered on a case by case basis.

 

[sewingalot]

Wouldn't it be better to simply ask a moderator than to post messages criticizing the lack of stickies? Especially when you are asking for such? It is a great article.

 

[jmhart]

Good 'article' overall, but the section on RCS applies equally for many other non-Amano shrimp (Tigers, Snowballs, etc.), and a discussion of H2O2 is missing alongside the glut discussion.


This forum is shy on adding worthy subforums and stickies, rather unfortunately. There should at least be a sticky of useful threads like this one. There is a HUGE gap between the few articles on the site and the knowledge buried in the forum.

I've never used H2O2 in the treatment of algae, but I know a lot of people do. If you write something up, I'll edit it into the Glut section. Either post it here or PM it to me.

 

[justin182]

A very good thread, dude!!!

 

[snausage]

Very good thread; just wanted to add my two cents.

Of all the fauna listed to combat algae, I've kept nerites, ottos, amanos, mollies, and rcs. All do an admirable job cutting down algae, although IME mollies devour any leaves that aren't thick and hardy so I'll never keep them in a planted tank again.

Amanos are more expensive, but if you buy in bulk on aquabid they're about the same cost as rcs. They won't breed unless you add salt, but I've had the same group of them for 3+ years.

However, I've found that the best, cheapest and by far the easiest way to combat a large amount of algal growth is with the good ol' tag along snail (the species with a rounded shell, not the malaysian trumpet snail). They're free, breed at an exponential rate and they'll survive in the most abysmal water conditions. Yes, they attract widespread derision from most experienced hobbyists, but they're so functional. If they get too out of control, a yo-yo loach will make quick work of them. I must have had at least 200+ tag a longs in my first tank and one yo-yo got rid of them in 3 days.

 

[plantbrain]

Wouldn't it be better to simply ask a moderator than to post messages criticizing the lack of stickies? Especially when you are asking for such? It is a great article.

See if Jim will edit some and then add it as a stickie, then also link some other good algae references to it also, eg, root cause issues, speculated causes etc........

Dusko's article is good.
Jim can add that and others.

Not that many newbies will read it, but some sure will.
Most are freaked when they have algae and post, why do I have it and how to get rid of it. Few think it's a plant growing, gardening issue, not a disease.

I'm not sure the best method to help new folks resolve their algae issues, but a lot of repeating will be needed no matter how good an article is written, they will miss things and need reminding, more help and the forums are good for this.

Still, a good article thereof is a wise stickie.

Regards,
Tom Barr