Apr 10
29

How do i grow a healthy carpet algae in my cichlid tank?

2 Comments

i аѕkеd a qυеѕtіοn a lіttlе whіlе ago аbουt one οf mу аnd a аnѕwеr ѕаіd tο grow carpet οn mу . i want mу tank tο bе јυѕt lіkе home wіth thеѕе tο keep thеm hарру аnd healthy hοw dο i gο аbουt growing thіѕ οn thе assortment οf rock i hаνе fοr thеѕе guys!

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This entry was posted on April 29, 2010 at 11:29 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Algae by Pond Manager 2 Comments

2 Responses to "How do i grow a healthy carpet algae in my cichlid tank?"

  • LetsTalkFish says:
    April 29, 2010 at 11:29 am
    Reply

    What I do is simple : Lots of light on the tank – double bulbs, replaced every couple of years to keep from getting too weak, kept on for 12 hours per day. It’s not instant, it took a good year to really get a nice carpet going. Of course, this also leads to more work in scrubbing algae off the glass and such, since we can’t tell the algae where to grow – I don’t mind that since I enjoy maintaining my tanks. Trust me, I do not and would not ever cause algae growth by neglecting the tank and letting toxins rise – bad idea, so keep up that maintenance. (if even strong lighting doesn’t do it, then adding some aquatic plant fertilizer can help provide algae friendly nutrients – just be careful – too much and all your water can go green, which won’t harm the fish but looks pretty bad).

    Another method I have seen people use which is quite brilliant for those with the means to do it is to actually harvest algae. This simply means buying a big cheap bin or tank and laying out some rocks. Top it with water and leave it in the sun (preferably inside through a window so you don’t get critters in the water) – before long you’ll have lots of healthy algae growth.

  • Jersy says:
    April 29, 2010 at 11:29 am
    Reply

    Do you have mbuna cichlids? If your tank is properly acclimated it should have algae growth. High ammonia levels stimulate algae growth, but that could be detrimental for you fishes health. (I can’t believe fishes is a word…sorry). Lighting also stimulates growth. Try leaving your tank light on for a full 10 – 13 hrs.

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