View Full Version : Is there a such thing as an algae phase?
NJ Devils Fan
03-25-2003, 3:08 PM
Someone on another forum mentioned something about an algae phase in the tank. Is there a such thing?
NGerdes
03-25-2003, 3:16 PM
Actually, someone said something to me about that about a year ago after I started my first tank and had an algea problem. I didn't really take it in too much because it was just that my tank was getting too much light.
How about: It all depends?
New tanks commonly show diatom growth which may fade and even totally disappear later.
New tanks much more commonly show green water (Freef loating or swimming algae) than mature tanks, but they do the same with bacterial blooms.
Young planted tanks are more likely to algae outbreaks.
NONE of the above are absolute - any given tank may show none of the above.
Slappy*McFish
03-25-2003, 4:32 PM
Especially when light levels are increased..eventually with patience and persistence, it will pass. Just be sure to slam-pack your tank with plants, NJDF..and make sure to dose your ferts accurately.
famman
03-25-2003, 4:54 PM
Algae, like nitrifying bacteria, over time will reach an equilibrium. I would find it suprising if most tanks did not go through phases of different types of algae before an equilibrium is reached. It is possible that this is usually not noticed by the aquarist unless they have specific circumstances that make it obvious.
good luck
:)
Mr.Jingles
03-25-2003, 4:59 PM
there are definatly algae somethings. my 30, for the longest time, had green algae on the glass. then it had hair algae all over. now it has little puffs of beard algae on a few piece of gravel and basically no other algae.
my 50 gallon had hair algae the first month or so that it was set up. then it was prestine clean untill the black beard algae got ahold. now its ravaged with beard algae and my grass is suffering. I also have some fur algae, might be the same thing as BBA but green, and Im waiting it out.
NJ Devils Fan
03-25-2003, 7:18 PM
Nononononononononononononononononononononononono Slappy, I don't have algae, someone said something about an Algae phase and I never heard of it before.
ChilDawg
03-25-2003, 7:47 PM
Wow, someone is defensive about algal growth :)...NJDF, it's okay...even if you did have algae, we all have it or have had it recently (at least that would be the guess which I would venture), plus I hear that it's really good for Plecos ;)
beviking
03-25-2003, 7:58 PM
Of course there is an algae phase! It comes after the over-feeding phase and often coincides with the too much sunlight phase!:rolleyes:
ChilDawg
03-25-2003, 8:13 PM
LOL...mine usually comes with the "too-little light phase"...but my Oto steps up when diatomaceous algae attacks!
skeletalmachine
03-26-2003, 1:54 AM
I wish I had more algae in my Tropheus tank, it's a great food for them. They cleaned it all out the first week they were in!
NJ Devils Fan
03-26-2003, 6:40 AM
MY TANK IS PERFECT!!!!!!! NO ALGAE AT ALL!!!!!!!!;)
Wait, why is that fish slamming it's head against the rocks? ;) ;) :)
wetmanNY
03-26-2003, 9:47 AM
Lots of aquarists have noticed that each algae phase is followed by a different algae phase. As the system matures and ages, some conditions become just right for a new kind of algae.
Like ecological succession, as the pasture reverts to woodland and forest...
Mr.Jingles
03-26-2003, 3:41 PM
yeah, but forests are good.