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All I can grow is blue green algae
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:48 pm
by Keeb
I've been trying to grow algae rocks for my Hillies in a 3 gal tank with air stone and filter still running, sitting in window. All I can get to grow is blue green algae which I don't want to expose my 50gal river tank to. I seeded the algae growing tank with some rocks with brown algae on them. I'm going to nuke the 3 gal and start over. How do I get nice green algae like Martin grows? What am I doing wrong?
Keeb
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:24 pm
by TammyLiz
I have done pretty well getting a lot of "nice green algae" in a betta bowl next to a window when I neglected the water change for a while. And thats the key: the waste. Ammonia feeds algae. Not much will happen if you don't have anything feeding the algae.
As far as Martin's algae--did you hear about his "secret ingredient"?
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:32 pm
by chefkeith
Algae needs nutrients, especially iron. Martin has a good source. Maybe he'll let you buy some.
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 1:05 am
by Keeb
I did indeed add some of Martin's secret ingredient. I also added some Nutrafin Plant gro. There is nothing but rocks in the tank so I do know if the tank will cycle except for ammonia from the secret ingredient. I thought algae liked good water to thrive as opposed to poor water quality so I do regular water changes and top up nutrients. I guess I'll just nuke it and start again.
Keeb
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:03 am
by Setsuna
Dare I ask... What is Martin's secret ingredient?
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:52 am
by Blue
Setsuna wrote:Dare I ask... What is Martin's secret ingredient?
I'm interested to hear that.
Wasn't that pee?:?
Martin Thoene wrote:Fertilizer would be good right? Added a few splashes of Hydroponic fertilizer that Momfish has used for years in planted tanks.....and a secret ingredient.
While back in England, I had a planted tank with no fish and with Momfish's encouragement via phone from Canada I tried an experiment based on a story she heard from the kid's Summer Camp. At the camp, all the girls used to swim in a small bay in the lake. It had luxuriant aquatic plant growth. One of the ladies in charge gets all "eco" on the girls and works out that if a certain percentage of them pee in the water while swimming, in a given time they are excreting a 50 gallon drum-full. So she places a blanket ban on peeing in the lake.
The plant growth died back drastically......go figure.
So my plant experiment worked quite well. I guess you could call it self-propelled Figured that it ought to work on algae, so using my self dispensing equipment I filled half a mug and threw that in. If you ever come round my place decline offers of tea or coffee
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:57 am
by worton
Hey,
If I remember rightly pee was a fool's day joke ;).
Regards.
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:45 am
by Keeb
I hope it wasn't a fool's day joke because I took it seriously and there was no mention in that thread of it being a fool's day joke. It made sense to me because it would supply ammonia. Martin could you confirm this please?
Keeb
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:57 am
by shari2
No, the algae farm wasn't the joke. The spawning hillies was, though.
And yes, the nasty secret ingredient was exactly what you think it was.
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:10 pm
by mikev
Blue-green algae -- is it filmlike, covering the glass and stones?
Then, it is actually not an algae, but cyanobacteria. It is easy to kill with antibiotics, and once it is killed, normal algae will have a chance to develop.
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:54 pm
by Keeb
Yes it is Cyanbacteria, however I'm going to nuke the tank rather than use antibiotics, and hope for better luck next time.
Keeb
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:06 pm
by mistergreen
yeah, don't mess with antibiotics too much. People over use it.
Algae need the same nutrients as plants.. so, If you have aquarium ferts or garden ferts just put in a cap full.. Or put in a handful of topsoil. Or do both.
Pee is a good source of nitrogen (ammonia), that's all. And it's a pretty sterile liquid. But you also need Potassium, Phosphorus, & trace elements.
BGA thrive because the other algae can't thrive due to the water lacking nitrogen mostly.
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:36 pm
by Blue
Keeb wrote: I hope it wasn't a fool's day joke because I took it seriously and there was no mention in that thread of it being a fool's day joke. It made sense to me because it would supply ammonia. Martin could you confirm this please?
Keeb
I had taken this one seriously too.
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:17 am
by worton
Hey,
looks like I did not remember it rightly ;))).
Regards.