Introduction While algae removal techniques can be effective, they should not be the default method to keep a tank algae free. The cleanest tanks are the ones that are algae resistant through good design. This article will go over key considerations in setting up an algae resistant tank. This will include equipment considerations from when […]
Above: a tank at peak. When tanks reach their ‘instagram moment’, it unfortunately also signals that (a) trimming and/or (b) replanting is soon due. In reality, planted tanks are crop-fields, not perennial forests. They look best when they fill the tank. But this peak also marks the ‘point of harvest’. If we do not remove […]
The above picture is taken after the 1st week of a fresh setup, diatoms are just starting to form and many of the leaves have a large amount of algae on them. The same tank is below, after a month, with no use of algicide and using the exact same plants as above; no new plants […]
The above picture is taken after the 1st week of a fresh setup, diatoms are just starting to form and many of the leaves have a large amount of algae on them. The same tank is below, after a month, with no use of algicide and using the exact same plants as above; no new plants […]
Diatoms and filamentous algae often attack plants in a new setup. This new tank syndrome is common in new setups, especially ones that use rich aquasoils. Often these issues go away on their own after some time as the tank matures and plants settle in, but what exactly makes for a matured setup? Introduction The […]
There is a difference between green spot algae (GSA) vs green dust algae (GDA). Green spot algae forms distinct circular dots that are very tough to scrape off while green dust algae is easily wiped/scrapped away though it may form a thick layer that is harder to clear. Spots usually take longer to form, while […]
Black beard algae appears as short reddish or black turfs. They first appear as small furry black dots as small as the tip of a pen, often found on the edges of older leaves of plants that aren’t growing optimally( see below) , blossoming into full size as those on the top picture. Early signs […]
Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae (BGA) appears as dark green slime. This algae starts as translucent sheets, often along the substrate, and hugging poorly growing plants. It can form filaments that trail in the current. It is often caused by a combination of deteriorating plants, excess organic waste at substrate level, poor oxygen levels, and low […]
Algae is so prevalent in the aquatic hobby that many aquarists have given up trying to eradicate it and have just accepted it as part of normal tank life. We assure you it is perfectly achievable to have planted aquariums free from visible algae – especially filamentous green algae. It takes a combination of factors […]
Green dust algae forms a green film on rocks and most noticeably on walls of planted tanks. It is easily wiped off but comes back quickly. In tanks with strong light it can reappear within a day. In less severe cases, it means weekly scraping/wiping of tank walls. For aquascapers that only have had tanks that […]
This form of algae is also known as “green pea” soup. The water turns into a cloudy green colour. COMMON CAUSE The primary cause is excess ammonia coupled with strong light for extended periods. This may occur particularly in new tanks / planted tanks that are not biologically mature. It often results from over-feeding, high levels of livestock waste and/or […]
While there are various types of filamentous algae types, they all have similar base causes & triggers. The common trigger is a spike in organic waste/ammonia. This may occur due to heavy usage of ammonia/urea rich fertilizer. (such as burying osmocote not deep enough). Dead livestock, poorly functioning filters, damaged or stressed plants can all be […]
Diatoms (a member of the algal class Bacillariophyceae) appear as yellow green or brown patches, and/or as stringy brown mass. Diatoms can be found in virtually every freshwater and saltwater body, and are one of the most ubiquitous algae in the world, making up a quarter of the world’s biomass. Photosynthesis by diatoms in the […]
Staghorn algae appear as thick grey hairs on the edges of leaf margins. They can be hard to remove by hand. They differ from BBA (Black brush algae) in that BBA has a finer texture and usually darker color. They can be trigger by tank instabilities that cause plants to be stressed – such unstable […]
Cladophora appears as tough filaments or green turfs in areas of high light and poor flow. They are tougher than ordinary types of ‘hair’ algae and do not break apart as easily as other filamentous green algae. They can be identified by their distinctive smell. This is a higher level algae that is not deterred by […]
DO ‘EXCESS NUTRIENTS’ TRIGGER ALGAE? Algae requires nutrients to grow, so the idea that if you have large amounts of nutrients in the water, algae will bloom more easily is an intuitive leap to take. This depends on the type of nutrient in question – not all elements have the same impact on the ecosystem. Not […]
2Hr Tanks are known for their resilience against algae, and we share our approach to algae on our website. However an interesting question came up recently from a reader: do your tanks never have algae? Actually while our tanks are free of algae 90% of the time, there are still several occasions when we face algae problems. Let’s […]
The tank above feels familiar. We see it everywhere, and it seems to conform to a standard, basic setup that works. It can indeed. It is possible to have a healthy planted ecosystem this way. It is just that the odds are not in your favor. In fact, it is so difficult to maintain a […]
The algae that are generally called “brown algae” are diatoms. This type of algae grows only during a limited period of time and for the Nature Aquarium, it is usually about two weeks after the aquarium was set up. After diatoms are observed in the aquarium, green algae will grow on the diatoms using them […]