View Full Version : aquascaping with algae?
mellowvision
06-28-2007, 7:16 PM
the thought has crossed my mind, that certain algaes, like the beards, are actually fairly nice looking in some instances. being that they are natural and beneficial to some fish, does anyone deliberately use algae as the major part of the decor? are there reasons not to?
rich311k
06-28-2007, 9:21 PM
Some people especially European aquascapers will use rocks and wood covered in green algae in their aquascapes. Makes the decor look aged.
Mgamer20o0
06-28-2007, 9:24 PM
i dont clean my terracotta pots so they look green.
mellowvision
06-28-2007, 9:29 PM
how can you control the algae so that only green grows?
Marinemom
06-28-2007, 10:12 PM
Sometimes I leave algae on some of the rocks so the tank looks more natural. After all, in nature you will see algae in some places.
Marinemom
plantbrain
06-29-2007, 1:49 AM
Yes,
Pithophora grows well with a little bit of nutrients, high fish load + crazy flow + aeration and cooler temps. Pretty lime green.
Blast filter output/powerheads across slate/wood etc with some aeration.
This species lives in fast flowing riffles in creeks.
Regards,
Tom Barr
mellowvision
06-29-2007, 2:56 AM
I think that had started growing on my driftwood, but was then replaced with a skin of bluegreen algae and when the shrimp ate that, black beard algae started sprouting. I've seen a couple of tufts of green, and 1 leaf of a really vibrant red beard algae... but can't seem to dial in the one I'd prefer.
Mgamer20o0
06-29-2007, 3:57 AM
how can you control the algae so that only green grows?
it just does.
I really like how green hair algae looks on driftwood. (I am sure its named something completely different)
Squawkbert
06-29-2007, 2:28 PM
I really like how green hair algae looks on driftwood. (I am sure its named something completely different)
You'd love my tank... The skinny end of one of my DW pieces is very close to the surface & lighting - I've had a yard of hair algae wrapped around it - think big, green Q-tip...
Does anyone know what the short, tuft like green stuff is?
Sammie7
06-29-2007, 2:54 PM
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9
http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
Possibly beard algae?
Ajordan
06-29-2007, 2:59 PM
I don't scrape the back of my 37g with a black background. The peppered green and black adds depth the the scape (or so I think).
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9
http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
Possibly beard algae?
thanks for the links! and yes probably a beard algae. I'll try and take a pic tonight.
geofied
07-01-2007, 10:03 PM
I tried my darndest to get pics of the algae on the tip of my driftwood close to the surface that I thought looked great. Looked very natural, very much resembled moss on a tree stump. Now I can't see past the Java fern that is blocking it.
I've noticed that Amano appears to have algae on some of his driftwood and rocks. I also noticed that he didn't have it in his "plant" list. Not sure why I thought he might.