Promoting algae growth

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sosgal721

AC Members
Jul 28, 2007
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Fort Mill, SC
This probably sounds like the opposite of what everyone else wants, but I want to grow more algae in my 55. The reason is so that my pleco can have more to snack on in between feedings. I also never realized how much algae mollies eat until I put one in a 20 gallon QT and it cleaned the entire tank in 2 days leaving a nice pile of green poo behind.

Since people seem to have such a hard time with getting rid of it there should be some easy things that I can do to get more. I'd consider doing anything relatively cheap (almost immediately ruling out better lighting), so what would you suggest?

Also, I want the algae to grow on things so that it can be eaten, so anything that only promotes free floating algae wouldn't help much.
 
leave ur lights on longer, and add fertilizers.
 
Is there a way to make sure it's surface algae (on rocks, driftwood, and other decorations) instead of free-algae (green-water)...or any way to help make it more surface-oriented?
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
sunlight or lights on longer. a lot of plecos dont even eat algae.
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How long can they be on without upsetting the day/night cycle for my fish? They are already on for 14.5 hours a day. Also, my common pleco loves algae and can finish off a 1.5 inch square section of the freeze-dried stuff that I give to my tang in under 2 minutes.

boostnbuds said:
leave ur lights on longer, and add fertilizers.
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I've read that some fertilizers are better at getting algae to grow than others, obviously with most people opting for the ones that don't produce algae. Would any brands in particular be better at this? Also, I read that over fertilizing would result in algae, but would that be bad for the fish?

LesbianChap said:
Is there a way to make sure it's surface algae (on rocks, driftwood, and other decorations) instead of free-algae (green-water)...or any way to help make it more surface-oriented?
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I am interested in the answer to this as well.

jpappy789 said:
I know some grow algae on rocks outside the tank and place them in as snacks. That way your beautiful tank isnt over run with unsightly algae while your plecs still have some to munch on...
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I thought about that, but right now I want to work within the tank. Also, I like the look of most algae as long as it isn't on the front glass.
 
If you rule out increasing the lighting, the aforementioned "grow algae on rocks outside the tanks" is probably the best way to go. Growing algae for just a pleco and some mollies seems really unnecessary though.
 
I think it's opinion that algae is unsightly. I for one happen to have this gorgeous emerald green algae that grows all over the driftwood in my Amazon tank. It makes a thick carpet that sways in the currents and naturalizes the tank so much that if I were to ever lose it, I would be very unhappy.

But back on point - the spectrum of your lighting can play a factor. If I recall correctly, a lot of blue wavelengths in your lighting will assist the algae. There are many reports of people placing actinic or 50/50 lights on their tanks and getting an algae bloom.

Phosphates are one of the culprits often cited in algae blooms. Pick up some Flourish Phosphorous and dose it a bit too much. But only a bit too much.

Don't add Excel, and maybe if you're running CO2 cut it down a bit.
 
what do you normally feed the pleco? bulky veggies like zucchini will fill him up more than the seaweed does, and take longer to be eaten.
 
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