wisecrackerz

I know it sounds crazy, but I would like to start a little algae growing in my tank. I'd like to get a clown pleco, but i don't want to get him until I've got enough growth that he won't kill it all. I know it helps with O2 and N2, and I'm confident that I can keep it under control. But I don't get any sunlight where my tank is, and I can't move it. I've heard that shot glasses in pitcher of water on a windowsill will do the trick, but what do people think?

aquatic mouse

I have a bad habit of leaving my aquarium lights on for 16 hours a day. It creates a LOT of algae!

Shawnie

sorry for laughing...people who want to grow it, CANT ....ask carol about that story of hers!! clown plecs will eat other things than algae ..they are HUGE driftwood munchers and its a needed type of food for the health...sinking pellets as well as all kinds of veggies will also be required...good luck! great looking plecs

wisecrackerz

i know, right? I know it seems ridiculous... I have a pond out back that, in late summer, would have all the algae i could ever need, but this time of year, all I'd get out of there is a crabby bigmouth. I'll try aqua's suggestion, but can green algae grow in fluorescent light? And is there any way to make sure that all I get is the nice slimy green stuff, and don't get any blue-green?

aquarist48

My Pleco loves zucchini and algae waffers. Longer periods of light should help. As stated above they will need more nutrition than what you can grow in your tank.
Ken

Red1313

increase feedings and increased light will give you alage... however the only stuff I can grow is string alage and blue-green

Borisbbadd

I wish I needed to ask how to grow algae.............

Jaysee

Algae is a plant, right? That explains why I don't have any - I have the opposite of a green thumb

Nate McFin

To get green algae....dose small amounts of fertilizer such as Seachem Flourish after water changes. If your phosphates remain LOW enough (under 1 PPM) with water changes... it will grow. Running the light a little longer helps it along as well.
This is the recipe for Green Spot Algae. (Not blue green) Im not only the president of the green spot algae club, I am also a member.

peacemaker92

You could also leave tank water outside in your yard for the sun. Just pour some tank water and any of your decorations into a small tub or container or some sort and leave it out there for 3 days or so under the sun, then you should have some algae growing after that.