Growing algae for Otos

[JPDVM2014]

Ok, i have a few questions regarding growing algae on some rocks for my otos. First, where would i get rocks? I am wary about finding my own because i wouldn't want to endanger any of my fish. The only lfs within a half hour of me (Petsmart, :eek:) doesn't sell anything except fake decor. Second, would it be wise to cover the container that the rocks are in to keep bugs or anything else out of the water? Alright, this is the last one. I'm a little confused as to the method. Do i just put some flat rocks in a shallow container of water and put some fish flakes in it every so often and how long does it usually take to see some growth? Thanks.

[fishorama]

Use tank water & try a few kinds of rocks, smooth seems comfy. As for how long, it will depend on light, rock type & color etc & type of algae, some is more red or brown, some green.

You can get rock at a landscaping/stone yard, the beach/river, Home Depot/Lowes sometimes have suitable rocks. I bleach them to make sure they're clean & scrub with a brush. Soak in dechlorinater.

I don't usually clean the back glass in my tanks so there's some algae & biofilm. Like I said, mine like pellets when the want other food.

[JPDVM2014]

Yea, i haven't cleaned the back glass since before i even decided to get the otos. So i'm not worried about them not having enough food for a while. I put some zucchini in there today and they didn't even pay any attention to it. So i think for the moment they have plenty to eat. I'm gonna go get some shrimp pellets this weekend and see how those do. I'm not sure whether or not the otos will even get a chance to eat those between the guppies and the platys. I"m just trying to keep my options open so that if/when i need to supplement i can. Thanks a lot for the info. I was wondering if slate would work? I have some extra slabs laying around.

[fishorama]

Try it, sounds like no rush. BTW mine prefer Wardley shrimp pellets to Omega 1.

[Fishfiles1]

my ottos took awill to feed on blanched cucumber and zucinni but now they love it

[Lupin]

Slates should work. Any rock should. I simply place a bucket of water and rocks under direct sunlight and add fishfoods, not caring at the very least how much I add. The bucket might stink though but I just bear it.:grinyes:

[LeahK]

Hi -- I posted a very similar question a while ago, and received advice that, if I want green algae for the otos, I may need to obtain a sample from somewhere, because otherwise I'd just need to hope that some green algae spores land in my dish of rocks and water. But then I also received advice that anywhere I might get a green algae sample, such as a pond, may contain unknown pathogens.
So I decided against getting any green algae from ponds. I have a dish of rocks in my window, filled with tank water, and which I feed fish food every so often--and I have grown exactly zero algae. Not even brown algae or diatoms. So if you get this to work for you, please let me know the trick!
(Oh and I bought my rocks from a Petland, labeled "aquarium safe.")

[Fishfiles1]

i used just declorinated water and put in in a bucket and some of that holly rock for a week out in the sun and i got lots of green algee

[JPDVM2014]

Alright, I'm gonna try and get something set up this weekend. LeahK, i'll be sure and let you know exactly what i did if i get any algae growth.