RE: NANFA-- Algae in Public Aquaria

Brian Haas (bhaas_at_netexpress.net)
Thu, 30 May 2002 11:13:56 -0500

Thanks, guys

Travis Haas
Hazel Green, WI

At 08:07 AM 5/30/02 -0400, you wrote:
>I would have to second Pete's sentiment on the subject. I would like to
>add though that there are some other little tricks of the trade that you
>can do to reduce algae on the front glass. With hanging lights, you can
>put a "shadow board" over the front edge of the aquarium so that when the
>light shines down into the tank, the shadow created by the shadow board
>shades the front glass, therefore reducing the light on front glass.
> Another is to position the lights in front of the aquarium shining toward
>the back. Not only does this show off the colors of the fish better, but
>it again keeps the light off the front glass. The less time spent cleaning
>algae, the more time there is to do fun things!
>
>Nick Zarlinga
>Aquarium Biologist
>Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
>216-661-6500 ex 4485
>
>"Fish worship... is it wrong??" (Ray Troll)
>
>On Wednesday, May 29, 2002 4:57 PM, Pete Liptrot
>[SMTP:coelacanth_at_btinternet.com] wrote:
>> > In the public aquarium world, is algae normally controlled by regular
>> physical scrubbings, > or is it kept from ever _starting_ by maintaining
>> specific water conditions? ...or is there > some other magical trick?
>>
>> If there is a magical trick I'd be delighted to hear it.
>> It's usually a combination of things I'd say. Physical cleaning does play
>a
>> very big part, whether by pole cleaning, heavy duty algae magnet, or
>> actually getting in there. Cleaning of one sort or another is probably
>the
>> dominant feature of the working day for most aquarists in Public Aquaria.
>> Water changes are also important to keep dissolved nutrients low, and
>with
>> freshwater these are easier and cheaper to do in volume than with marine
>> water (unless you are situated actually on the coast.
>> For large freshwater displays light intensity is often relatively quite
>low
>> which helps to limit algal growth.
>> Anywhere with a decent number of smaller freshwater displays often
>attracts
>> at least one dedicated passionate aquarist with a particular interest in
>> maintaining high quality displays of this type. This is very important.
>In
>> my view people will watch a well set up smaller freshwater display for at
>> least as long as they will watch some plump old Sand Tiger circling ad
>> infinitum (not knocking this species especially, you do need a 'pull' to
>> actually get people through the doors in order to tell them more about
>the
>> wonderful world of fish).
>> Biocontrols are always useful as well. It's amazing the amount of work a
>> healthy young pair of Ancistrus can save you, and even Apple snails have
>> their uses!
>> Algae is rarely a problem in your average Malawian Mbuna display.
>> There are always the variables though. Take three displays at work, all
>> around the 1000 gall. mark. All with same water source and water change
>> routine, pretty much the same filtration and lighting (6500K MH). The one
>> that has the least problem with algae is by far the heaviest stocked one,
>> with the messiest fish (mixed Amazonian community) that get more food in
>one
>> day than either of the other two get in a week.
>> All have very low nitrate and phosphate because of the volume and
>frequency
>> of water changes, but the two lightly stocked aquaria each have varying
>> degrees of growth of filamentous algae and cyanobacteria.
>> With my own home display aquarium, a small South American display with
>some
>> rare and cute Dwarf Cichlids, I'm currently struggling with a hideous
>> cyanobacteria outbreak, whereas my play tanks here in my mini-office in
>full
>> sun for half the day have nothing more than a light growth of filamentous
>> algae. Same water, same foods, similar loading. The tank downstairs has a
>> filter system I built myself, these up here all just have cheap
>commercial
>> sponge filters.
>> Sometimes you just have to scratch your head.
>> Pete.
>------
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>http://www.nanfa.org

---
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/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
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/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org