Algae

E

Esoter1c

AC Members
Dec 26, 2006
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Hey everyone,
I'm quite curious as to algae, and specifically, I'm wondering if it will grow in what I would consider a "normal" aquarium.
I'm cycling my tank (fishless, and without much success, more on that later), it is a 20g with a AC50 (sponge, carbon. bio) and fake plants. I have a 15w fluorescent light that is on for 10hours (and could I up it to 12?).
Anyways, I was wondering if I would get any algae growing in my tank. I'm using tap water w/ dechlorinator and as far as I know my system (Lower Mainland, BC) first uses a RO unit as a primary steralizer and then adds chlorine (although small amounts compared to other tap water sources) as a secondary method.

So yeah, am I going to need a cleanup crew for algae, or can I get away without?

Also, I've been cycling my tank for 2.5 weeks, I added ammonia to bring it up to 5ppm and I have not seen any drop in the amount of ammonia or any rise in Nitrites. (If it matters the PH of my tap water is 7.0) (I also have verified the ammonia has no additives), does anyone have any possible explanations as to what I may be doing wrong? Im planning on getting some cycled filter media from someone so hopefully that will help.

Thanks!
Esoter1c.
 
Bristlenose plecos are great for algae. You will need to supplement it's diet though as it can't live off just that.

If you don't seed your tank with filter material from an established tank, it will take a frustratingly long time to cycle.

There is no need to keep the lights on while cycling, unless you're trying to grow algae. Some people like it, some don't.
 
Ok, thanks for the info, both of you, but Im curious as to whether my tank will grow algae in the first place or not? Cause I only have a 20gal so if I can get away without putting in some algae eaters so that I can add other fish that would be great!
 
Is the tank heated, and if so, to what temperature?

Guess I am a little confused. Are you trying to get algae or do you not want it? Or just planning for when it shows up?
 
I'm confused too. Do you want the algae to grow or are you just trying to get a jump on it before it takes over youtr tank? If your tank has only been up for two or three weeks, chances are you will not see much algae yet. Usually at the six week to eight week mark is when you will start to see the presence of algai in your system.

Marinemom
 
Yes the tank is heated, currently at 80F while waiting for cycling to finish, and then Im going to drop it about 2 degrees.
I don't want algae, I just want to know whether it will grow or not, because if it won't grow at all in my tank, then I wont bother getting some algae eaters (which Id prefer not to get so I can stock with other fish), but if it is going to grow, then Ill probably grab a BNP.

So just to be clear, I just want to know whether algae will grow or not, and to affirm my position, I don't want it growing.
 
Ok, that's a little clearer... You might get algae, it's a pretty normal thing to happen in a tank. If you get an algae bloom, just reduce feeding and light for a few days, and it'll fade out on it's own. Algae lives on light and nutrients in the water, so reducing either or both will knock back most algae problems in a short span of time.

If you have to hire a clean up crew, get one you like, not just a working fish. For a 20gal, I'd suggest a good, non breeding snail, like MST's to help with the algae, and to turn over your substrate for you. Otto's might be more your speed, but you'll have to suppliment their diet with wafer, same for bristlenose plecos. If you're wanting to go big on your 20 gallon's stock list, you might want to skip clean up crew for the additional bioload they produce, and just watch your feeding and light.
 
Is the aeration good as well? Airstones or at least big filter splash? I've read that the bacteria needs plenty of oxygen as well. I'm puzzled - in my 12g it only took 3-4 days to see a very noticeable drop in Ammonia and rise in NitrItes. (I had a higher temperature to begin with though, something like 88-90 which I'm not positive I would recommend.) I also didn't have any material to seed with.
 
I would've liked an oto, but since they're so finicky and this is my first aquarium ever (except keeping the 2 bettas I've had for about 2 months) I don't want to try them out just yet.

Yes, the aeration is very good, I have both a HOB filter where the water falls approximately 3 inches before hitting the water and an air pump running to an action treasure chest. I wonder if the reason my tank isn't cycling quickly has to do with my local water supply, all of our water is from melting snow packs. And so it is VERY soft and probably has very little in the way of dissolved solids and bacteria present. I dunno, I don't know a whole lot about water but thats just my theory.
 
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