am i the only one?

[RockabillyChick]

who thinks a little algae looks kind of neat?

like in my tank, i have a couple natural seashells and a broken terracotta pot as a little "cave" for my fish, and both have started growing algae. i've made no attempt to remove it because i rather like the way it looks, especially on the terracotta pot. its starting to naturalize it, make it blend in a little better. these two places are the only area where i have any visible algae growth, and the algae on the shell even has some "holes" in it where either the fish, or the snail, have been eating it.

 

[FisheyLisa]

I don't mind it either. Unless it is harming something else, like my plants, but then again, that is because I get slacker if it goes that far.

Seems way to stressful to have a pristine tank!!

 

[Patricia]

I have to admit that I, too, like algae ... to the extent that I keep a container of green water, refreshed every few days, on my desk where the sun hits it. When I set up a new tank, I squirt an ounce or two of the green water into it to help kick-start the cycle. Once the tank is cycled, the aquarium plants and snails keep the algae under control. In my Pomaceae Bridgesii nursery (187 hatchlings at present, with many clutches still incubating), I squirt half an ounce a day, because even the tiniest hatchlings are able to eat the algae. I just keep the fronts of the tanks wiped clean, and leave the back and sides and internal items to the snails and Otocinclus.

Patricia

 

[Hannys_Papa]

I didnt have any algea in my tank for the longest time - now that i have real plants and much more light its starting to grow on the glass. I dont like it too much there - but it also got on the rocks and somehow makes them look a lot more "real"... they seem to blend in better. So for that i actually dont mind the algae.
Of course i am sure if the algea ever got out of hand i wont be saying this anymore... lol

 

[Slappy*McFish]

I like the look of green algae growing on rocks and driftwood, too. It makes plastic plants look a bit more natural and 'real' and provides a nice food source for algae eaters. I always try to grow some green algae in my non planted tanks. I do, however, like to keep it off the glass.

 

[z71silverado98]

I dont mind it as long as its not on the glass and doesnt take over a whole plant, makes the tank look more natural. ive read that hair algea is preferred w/ european aquarist.