[APD] Rift lake algae

["Thomas Barr" <tcbiii at earthlink_net>]

If you want to grow some nice looking algae, if the tank is cycled well
with mulm, prior, then all you'll need to do is crank the lights, add as
much aeration as you can, and add fish slowly.

High current+ light+ aeration in the outflow often will grow a nice coat of
Pithphora which is a tasty treat for Tropheus moorii.
If the tank is fairly clean but well fed, you should be able to export some
waste and produce food for the fish. 
The main issue would be getting Green water if you added too much for the
filter, but.............you have a wet dry filter which are extremely
effective at turning any NH4 produced into NO3 which doesn't cause Green
water to bloom at moderate levels. Add mulm to both the substrate and the
filter for awhile before adding much fish. 
Pithophora seems to be a favorite and is relatively easy to grow. I used it
for export in a number of FW algal turf scrubbers but abandoned  it for
plant filtration.

Tricks: :Pull or direct the lighting AWAY from the front glass and the
sides as much as you can. Direct the light only where you want the algae to
grow. Use venturi type returns for the water. Anywhere this curent + air
mix goes, you will get good growth. Fish waste alone are enough to support
large areas.
Use mulm in the substrate, add to the filter. This will help cycle the tank
immediately.

You need to pick a species you like, green spot, generally in the genus
Coleochaete, species generally orbicularis, is another that will appear,
there are a few similar algae that prefer rocks. These are tough to kill or
eat by herbivores except a few plecos. Pithophora is both faster growing,
bright felt like green and very edible for the fish and not bothersome alga.
The current/aeration would do well and make the fish pretty happy, along
with a wet/dry, a few regular water changes and you should be set. Dolomite
gravel is good also. That would be a fairly low maintenace tank that would
look good.
Both species of algae are signs of a healthy tank, as is Cladophora which
is in the same order and family as Pithophora.
There are few other species that may occur, you can get some other green
filamentous algae to grow as well. Dicotomosiphon and Vaucheria are other
genera. 
Any of these 5 genera would be fine, just keep off the glass and use lack
of light/current to do that. A simple way to to make a "light skirt" around
the top of the tank's hood about 2-4 inches inward on all sides to block
the light directed towards the glass.
It will not completely prevent it, but will reduce it greatly and is easy
to do, duct tape, thin wood, anything that will block light or reflect it
up and back into the center of the tank. These algae do not need much
waste, the fish are plenty to support good growth.   
They sell sheets of Pithophora in Asia for aquariums FYI. 
   
Regards, 
Tom Barr      


_______________________________________________
Aquatic-Plants mailing list
Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/aquatic-plants