Growing Algae On Purpose

[joestyx]

I was thinking, instead of getting cheap vinyl backgrounds for my tank or painting it (out of the question), that maybe I should go with an au-natural look for a background.....

My Idea is to culture beard algae on the back glass of my tank....

What do you guys think????

 

[Mgamer20o0]

more like spot algae then beard algae.... dont think beard algae will grow on glass.

 

[joestyx]

more like spot algae then beard algae.... dont think beard algae will grow on glass.

but if you already have spot algae on there couldn't beard algae cling to it and grow over it??

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i havent seen it yet though i havent really had much beard algae so i could be wrong but it grows more on wood and plants vs glass. i think spot algae is the only thing that grows on glass.

 

[Derringer]

What would keep it from spreading and taking over the entire tank?

 

[MrGoodbytes]

Yeah, I think that whatever conditions let algae grow on the back glass might cause problems for the rest of your tank unless you want to clean a lot of leaves/wood/rocks.

PS - nice Dexter quote mgamer

 

[bkw1982]

Make a moss wall and call it day. Moss is alot easier to control and grow then algae...IMO

 

[joestyx]

Make a moss wall and call it day. Moss is alot easier to control and grow then algae...IMO

I am definitely considering that, thanks

 

[red devil]

Thanks for posting this question. I am interested in the same idea not just to make it look natural but for the sake of finding a biological media that will help me clean the water. Would moss have any benefit - will it help clean the water?

But getting back to the algae....what about growing moss under the gravel - assuming I am using plates with an undergravel filter - and put lights under the tank? Would that confine the algae to that space?

I am definitely considering that, thanks

 

[Ajordan]

I have seen some algaes that are capable of being quite attractive. I haven't seen beard algae grow on glass as other have stated but that doesn't mean you can't right?

There is a thread in the marine DIY section about using algae as a filter. It has potential for fresh water as well (at least in theory). It probably wouldn't make much sense to use it on a planted tank as the algae would be competing for nutrients with the ornamental plants. The light under a UGF is a really interesting idea. OK, back on topic!