Keeping a new tank w/ live plants algae free?

Is this even possible? I have a fairly new 29gal (fresh water of
course) tank with a couple small fish and some live plants, it looks so
clear and nice! Is there a way to now prevent algae growth and keeping
the tank sparkling clean WITHOUT killing the live plants? Where the
tank sits there's not much if any direct sunlight....

wrote:
Is this even possible? I have a fairly new 29gal (fresh water of
course) tank with a couple small fish and some live plants, it looks so
clear and nice! Is there a way to now prevent algae growth and keeping
the tank sparkling clean WITHOUT killing the live plants? Where the
tank sits there's not much if any direct sunlight....

Sure. Keep plenty of plants, give them all they need to grow well, and
they can outcompete the algae. You may have a bit, but there's never
any reason for a tank to turn into an algae garden. How much light do
you have and how are you fertilizing? If the tank gets sunlight or more
than 2 watts/gallon of light, you will need to provide CO2 or Flourish
Excel along with potash, iron, and trace elements.

If you like them, it's helpful (but not strictly necessary) to add algae
eating critters. I use Amano shrimp, otocinclus catfish, siamese algae
eaters, and Nerites spp. snails. Bristlenose plecos are also good for
your size tank.

--
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"Altum" wrote in message
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If you like them, it's helpful (but not strictly necessary) to add algae
eating critters. I use Amano shrimp, otocinclus catfish, siamese algae
eaters, and Nerites spp. snails. Bristlenose plecos are also good for
your size tank.
=====================
Don't forget the clown plecos. They only get 5" long, cost around $6 ea.
and do an excellent job on all types of algae. Mine even eats the black
algae the otos wont touch. I've been looking for bristlenoses and haven't
seen any where I live.
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

Koi-Lo wrote:
*Note: There are TWO "Koi-Lo's" on this NG*

"Altum" wrote in message
. com...

If you like them, it's helpful (but not strictly necessary) to add
algae eating critters. I use Amano shrimp, otocinclus catfish,
siamese algae eaters, and Nerites spp. snails. Bristlenose plecos are
also good for your size tank.
=====================
Don't forget the clown plecos. They only get 5" long, cost around $6
ea. and do an excellent job on all types of algae. Mine even eats the
black algae the otos wont touch. I've been looking for bristlenoses and
haven't seen any where I live.

That depends on which of the half-dozen unrelated species commonly
labeled "clown pleco" you happen to get. Many are not reliable algae
eaters at all.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

*Note: There are TWO "Koi-Lo's" on this NG*

"Altum" wrote in message
...

That depends on which of the half-dozen unrelated species commonly labeled
"clown pleco" you happen to get. Many are not reliable algae eaters at
all.
==================
Yes, I read this, but I'm fortunate in that mine are excellent algae eaters.
But they're very shy and nocturnal. I seldom see them. They stay hidden
all the time and come out around lights-out. If I move quickly they're gone
in a flash!
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

I have an LDA25 'pitbull pleco.' These remain small (2" or so) and are
pretty good algae eaters (for more common easy types of algae in my
experience).

Unfortunatly Algae, can grow in conditions where even the hardiest of
aquarium plants cannot, the biggest contributor to algae growth is
phosphates.

Crash Course in Algae
The three main nutrients that algae need are nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium. In an aquarium, these nutrients come from fish waste, uneaten
food, the metabolism of beneficial bacteria, and the decay of other organics
such as plant debris or even dead algae. There is also a surprisingly high
amount of phosphorus in our tap water. You control the accumulation of
nitrogen when you perform a water change. Phosphates may be controlled by
using phosphate-removal media in an external filter or by using reverse
osmosis water for the aquarium.

This is a difficult concept to understand. It is important to remember that
algae growth is a natural, normal process in any aquarium. All aquariums
grow algae in one form or another. Some algae grows naturally in all ponds,
lakes, rivers and oceans. If a section of the ocean floor is swept
completely clean of life by a hurricane, the first organism to start growing
back is algae. When you clean your aquarium and all of the decorations
thoroughly, you leave no algae behind. In this bright, squeaky-clean
environment, algae grows back more rapidly than it would if you left a small
amount of algae somewhere in the tank. This is especially true in sal****er
aquariums, where the bright white coral and gravel reflect more light,
causing algae to grow faster. The reason for this is that if there is no
algae left in the tank, there is no competition for nutrients that the algae
feeds on. If you leave a few rocks or pieces of coral in a tank with a good
growth of algae on them, that algae will consume nutrients in the water,
which helps to control new growth.
The best way to illustrate this principle is to take a look at the two types
of aquariums that are rarely plagued with heavy algae growth. These a
freshwater aquariums that are well populated with live plants; and sal****er
live-coral reef aquariums. In these aquariums, the plants in freshwater
tanks, and the photosynthetic corals, anemones, and other sessile
invertebrates in reef tanks, compete with algae for light and nutrients. As
algae is a relatively primitive organism, it doesn't stand a chance when
competing against the more advanced plants or photosynthetic corals in these
types of aquariums. It is actually better for your aquarium to allow some
algae to exist somewhere in the tank, especially if your aquarium has
chronic algae problems.


It is normal for algae to begin growing back in an aquarium within three
weeks after the tank is cleaned. Please keep in mind that light and
nutrients in the water are the major causes of algae growth. There are
several ways that you can help control the re-growth of algae in your
aquarium
1. Do Not over feed your fish
2. If a fish Dies remove it immediatly, Decaying matter creates high levels
of nutrients in the water, causing rapid algae growth.

So thoughts and information, that you can grow and and im sure some others
will throw in there bit aswell

wrote in message
oups.com...
Is this even possible? I have a fairly new 29gal (fresh water of
course) tank with a couple small fish and some live plants, it looks so
clear and nice! Is there a way to now prevent algae growth and keeping
the tank sparkling clean WITHOUT killing the live plants? Where the
tank sits there's not much if any direct sunlight....

strange, but true.
i have had several tanks in the past, but now i only have a 10gal. all
live plants, and my g/f has incorporated about 20 fish with the help of
our baby factory swordtails. anyway, we add no chems. never even checked
the water quality.
we have had this tank for about 6mos now and it is the most clear tank i
have ever seen, we even add algae tabs twice a week.
ps....the only cleaners are a placo and two otto's. i think its just
luck.