My Ugly Carpet Algae Tub Options

[HappyBuddha]

Grin. Ever since seeing max's tank covered with carpet algae I've been looking forward to have my own. The attempt failed when my tank has insufficient lighting and low nitrate.

Unexpectedly, carpet algae started growing on my tub instead. The tub is placed indoors and only a small corner gets direct sunlight for about an hour a day. It amazed me that carpet algae appeared (alright... I was surprised nitrate level was high enough too. )



The fishes are fed frozen bloodworms so it's been a delight to find green poos on the floor, which shows the fishes do eat the algae. Unfortunately I don't see any obvious improvements in colour. Maybe a month in a carpet algae tub is too short for any major benefit.

In any case, I've cleaned away the carpet algae as they didn't cover the tub nicely. Worse, one of my ryukin developed a habit of pointing its head down to feed on the algae. The way greedy goldfish is... he does it non-stop. I worry about his tails collapsing under its own weight and to my dismay, it has!!!! I cleaned the tub yesterday and observed it was still doing his head-stand seemingly munching on the plastic floor. Today it has stopped doing that.

To recall how carpet algae 1st appeared after having the tub at the same position for many many months with no carpet algae....

It seems you need to build a foundation of "slime" on the tub's floor/walls. Normally every time I change water I would wipe away the slime but I missed doing it twice (ie, over a 2 weeks period) and that was when the algae started to appear. So... some sunlight, positive nitrate (ie, bio-filtration) plus "slime" to work as a "foundation" if you want a carpet algae tank. Good luck!

Cheers

[top_view_ranchu]

After green water gone in my main tub, this what happened!

[nobnoba]

why do greenwater gone in your tub?

[top_view_ranchu]

why do greenwater gone in your tub?

Hi bro nobnoba,
You can find answer in this link : http://www.rafflesgold.com/forums/index.ph...indpost&p=15951

[top_view_ranchu]

Experimenting on algae!
Growth going out of control. Enough supply for 3 more tubs!

[top_view_ranchu]

Started off like carpet.
Now more like green cotton wool!

[peter porker]

how to cultivate this thick lush green carpet?

[infocus]

how to cultivate this thick lush green carpet?

Ya. How huh. I'm interested too.

[top_view_ranchu]

Ya. How huh. I'm interested too.  

See this link.

http://www.rafflesgold.com/forums/index.ph...indpost&p=21080

[infocus]

See this link.

http://www.rafflesgold.com/forums/index.ph...indpost&p=21080

Besides bright light and water, what other parameters need to take note? The OHF I'm using consists of coral chips, ammonia rock and bio-ring. Will these and the BB prevent the growth of algae carpet? For my 2ft high tank, how much light do I need. Is PL-36W, 8000K enough?

This post has been edited by infocus: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 11:20 am

[top_view_ranchu]

Besides bright light and water, what other parameters need to take note? The OHF I'm using consists of coral chips, ammonia rock and bio-ring. Will these and the BB prevent the growth of algae carpet? For my 2ft high tank, how much light do I need. Is PL-36W, 8000K enough?

BB do prevent algae growth. Unless very strong sunlight!
Sorry, I know nuts about PL ---W,----K?

[infocus]

BB do prevent algae growth. Unless very strong sunlight!
Sorry, I know nuts about PL ---W,----K?

Okie. Will try to increase the intensity of my light then.

[CP]

Besides bright light and water, what other parameters need to take note? The OHF I'm using consists of coral chips, ammonia rock and bio-ring. Will these and the BB prevent the growth of algae carpet? For my 2ft high tank, how much light do I need. Is PL-36W, 8000K enough?

Actually,I fail to see the purpose of having ammonia rock in the filter (even though I use them ),be it green water or blue water.
If you want to have algae in blue water (carpet type),remove the ammonia rock as the absorption of ammonia will prevent the nitrate build up which the algae needs as a nutrient.
As for green water,ammonia is the source of food for the unicellular algae(I learnt this from this forum);which makes no sense to have ammonia rock in green water as well.
I know that the ammonia rocks in my filter system has reached its absorption capacity long time ago since nitrates has has been produced.Although they can be re-charged by soaking in salt water,I had not bothered since I am cultivating BB and they need ammonia to thrive.I leave them there now as a media to house bacterias instead.

p/s - The professional term for ammonia rocks is zeolites.

[Allan]

I know that the ammonia rocks in my filter system has reached its absorption capacity long time ago since nitrates has has been produced.Although they can be re-charged by soaking in salt water,I had not bothered since I am cultivating BB and they need ammonia to thrive.I leave them there now as a media to house bacterias instead.

Please remove (or recharge) your zeolite asap as they will start releasing absorded chemicals when they have reached their capacity.

[infocus]

Actually,I fail to see the purpose of having ammonia rock in the filter (even though I use them  ),be it green water or blue water.
If you want to have algae in blue water (carpet type),remove the ammonia rock as the absorption of ammonia will prevent the nitrate build up which the algae needs as a nutrient.
As for green water,ammonia is the source of food for the unicellular algae(I learnt this from this forum);which makes no sense to have ammonia rock in green water as well.
I know that the ammonia rocks in my filter system has reached its absorption capacity long time ago since nitrates has has been produced.Although they can be re-charged by soaking in salt water,I had not bothered since I am cultivating BB and they need ammonia to thrive.I leave them there now as a media to house bacterias instead.

p/s - The professional term for ammonia rocks is zeolites.

The amount of ammonia rocks I put in is far last than the recommended amount for my tank. Reason is to lower the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate level. Not to remove it on a long term basis. This will help me to prolong the period between WC. That why I was shock when I got to know that my tank's nitrate level is so high when I measured it yesterday. I do not think that the algae need each high nitrate (160ppm) to grow. Or else, my goldfish will die before I can even get my hands on the algae carpet. But what is the recommended amount of nitrate for the algae without doing much harm to my fishes. I measured my nitrate this morning and found the level to be below 10ppm. The goldfish looks more active and lively after the WC and I also feel saver for them.

If you want the algae carpet to grow, why are you cultivating the BB? Is there any reason behind?