Algae
- Thread starter jadoelizabeth
- Start date
- Tagged users None
You need to create the same envirement as a coral reef. Most people use actinic lighting before and after the white lights come on. If you only have one type of lighting 8 hours would be ideal. As far as benifical algae it all depends on water chemistry such as calcium,magnesium, alkalinty etc. to grow corraline algae.
What fish are you trying to feed algae too. Not all fish eat it & not all algae that grows in a tank is eatable. You need to know what type of algae you want to grow.
Most algae's need light & nutrients & some phosphates to thrive.
Most algae's need light & nutrients & some phosphates to thrive.
Fish need a dark period to sleep, I wouldn't leave the light on for that long. Do you have any sump on the tank?
Having grown many types of macroalgae, it is very difficult to grow edible macroalgae in a tank with herbivores. Your best bet is to grow the algae in a separate tank, that can have enough light and nutrients to grow the algae well, conditions that fish would not necessarily do good in longterm. You can grow algae in as simple a setup as a 5 gallon bucket with airstone and clip on light. Just make sure to get the right kind of algae for the fish you have that will be eating it. I would start with gracilaria, many fish eat it readily and its pretty easy to culture. Red gracilaria is an awesome food for fish like tangs.
Having grown many types of macroalgae, it is very difficult to grow edible macroalgae in a tank with herbivores. Your best bet is to grow the algae in a separate tank, that can have enough light and nutrients to grow the algae well, conditions that fish would not necessarily do good in longterm. You can grow algae in as simple a setup as a 5 gallon bucket with airstone and clip on light. Just make sure to get the right kind of algae for the fish you have that will be eating it. I would start with gracilaria, many fish eat it readily and its pretty easy to culture. Red gracilaria is an awesome food for fish like tangs.
Palting
Active Member
You can do things to encourage algae growth, but you run the risk of growing nuisance algae, algae that fish will not eat and it looks ugly. Best option, IMO, is to simply feed nori, processed algae, on a clip to your fish. Most herbivores, algae eating fish, will eat nori. Nori is available as unflavored sushi wrap from most Asian stores and the occasional grocery, and also at your LFS for more money. This way you can keep your tank clean and algae free and be the envy of most reefkeepers. 
