RE: NANFA-- Algae attack

Nicholas J. Zarlinga (njz_at_clevelandmetroparks.com)
Thu, 16 May 2002 13:05:50 -0400

I think that what everyone needs to realize is that to seriously get into
live plants, you need to approach it from an ecological standpoint. As had
been mentioned, certain plants and algae utilize different nutrients and
wavelengths better than others. To create a great looking planted tank,
get java moss and java fern. After a period of time, you will have a great
looking plant tank with little fuss and an inexpensive system. For serious
hobbyists that want diversity, you are going to have to get familiar with
lighting and CO2. One rule of thumb is the more light, the more CO2
needed. Algae is opportunistic and can grow in most conditions. Plants
can also grow well in many different conditions too, but plants have an
advantage in that they can grow in low dissolved nutrient environments.
Algae, generally speaking, have a hard time competing in these
environments. That is why we need to create low nutrients sytems with lots
of plants, lots of light, and lots of CO2. The plants cannot utilize the
high light intensity without the added CO2 and there fore won't be able to
out compete the algae. Blue green algae is a scorn to everyone at some
point. I do believe that an outbreak of bluegreen algae is indicative of
an unbalanced system. It may take several months of siphoning and water
changes to break its cycle but in a balanced system, it does subside.

Another thing that we need to realize is that our systems are very dynamic
and they take a long time to mature. We are taught as beginning hobbyists
that a tank will cycle in 3-6 weeks and you are on your way. Although it
is true, we need to realize that it takes months, sometimes years, for our
tanks to become ecologically stable. If we do all the right things
(properly feed, water changes, bioload correct) then it takes a while for
the tank to balance out. To build a natural aquarium, it takes time and
persistence and we need to understand the ecological aspects if we want to
recreate nature.

Nick Zarlinga
Aquarium Biologist
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
216-661-6500 ex 4485

"Fish worship... is it wrong??" (Ray Troll)

On Thursday, May 16, 2002 11:23 AM, Prizma_at_aol.com [SMTP:Prizma at aol.com]
wrote:
> algae...
> for plants i was told get lots of quality light. i added a set of compact
> flor... very bright indeed. then i grew tons of algae. to combat this im
> told... to reduce the light i just bought! and do water changes. my water
has
> a lot of minerals in it. this does not help.
> gee before all this i had 2 4' bulbs over a 55 filled w/ lush java fern
and
> moss and anubias... all low light plants. very nice... full of fl fish...
> killies. now ive got an expensive light system and all kinds of algae!
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