11 replies to this topic

[mrgreen]

hey guys ,
just added a lot of vallis to a new tank im setting up , its planted in a thick grain sand , and was a mature plant taken from a pond and trimmed down to size , the tanks is 140cm long and 40 cm wide , it has been in my tanks since sunday with a mature filter running , wat ive noticed , especially last nite , is little strands , almost like hairs , starting to form on the leaves , they dont look to pretty and i dont think its normal , i only have 3 fish in there at present cycling the tank , wat u guys rekon this is , are the plants dieing??? i have always had "token" plants in my tanks , and only really used rockwork , but this plant will be home for some dimi's and would like to keep it healthy and in good condition.

perhaps it could be that there aint enuff fish in the tank to complement the plants??? but these lil hairs will come off in ur hands when u touch them and look like sloppy waste , any sugestions or previous experiences with this would be much appreciated
cheers steve green

[Brett4Perth]

It is probably algea growing on the leaves of Vallis. I have also noticed that Vallis leaves are prone to being damaged when moved and this only becomes evident after a few days when the damaged leaves start to die. Wait and see what the new growth is like

Brett

[mrseby]

Algae grows in an aquarium because of excess nutrient. Several types of algae can occur under different conditions, but it's all caused by nutrients. Algae is a plant, a very remarkable plant that can grow at extremes of temperature and varried lighting. Brown Algae will tend to grow in tanks with less light, Green Slime and Beard Algea will grow in the presence of more light and Red algae, really a cyanobacteria grows sometimes that can be difficult to remove. The best way to controll algea, and I say controll, because it's going to be there, even if you have trouble finding it, is by paying careful attention to what you put in the tank. Fish food is High is Phosphates, yep that's the stuff you can't have in dish detergent because it causes algael blooms in drinking water. Limiting the amount and types of food as well as water changes to keep nitrates in check is the best approach, avoid sunlight hitting the tank. If you keep plants, make sure they are densely planted and provided with enough iron, this will enable them to out compete the algae for nutrients. Co2 injection is not difficult either, and it makes a more stable enviorment.

Fish that eat different types of algea:

Plecos will eat just about all types of algea, and plants too. Some get too large, but the bristlenose and other Ancistris sp. only get a few inches long. Other considerations would be Peckoltia sp. and there are some nice ones, but they can be expensive, they all eat plants though. I use them to keep brown algea under control in low light aquariums.

Guppies are good for eating green fibrous or hair algea and don't really bother plants. The best for Green hair algea is by far the Siamese Algae eater, or Crossocheilus siamensis, difficult to find and often confused with the Flying Fox, it's the algae eater of choice. Won't touch the brown algea though.

Red algae, being a cyanobacteria is somewhat different. I've heard that using antibiotics can rid an outbreak of this, but I've never had an outbreak. Usually algae outbreaks occur when a tank is stabilizing and often will correct themselves, or atleast become bearable with time and normal water changes.

Some fish NOT to consider for controlling algea:

Chinese Algea Eaters can get really big, sometimes up to 11", and they can be VERY aggressive as the get older. Some only reach about 6", but still, three or four 6" aggressive fish in a peaceful community aquarium will wreak havoc in no time.

The Flying Fox is also agressive when it gets older and it's appetite for algae decreases with age.

Oto's are good, but so many of the so called "Killer Oto's" have gotten into the trade that it's a good fish to avoid unless you are very careful.

So for the unplanted aquarium, the smaller plecos work great, and one is more than enough.

For Planted, use the Siamensis, great fish and fun to watch. They actually rest on broad leaf plants, they're so cool. Make sure you are buying a Siamensis!!!!! There are ways to check!

Control what goes in the tank, fish food and chemicles, NEVER EVER use chemicles that alter PH, they often contain phosphates and you can controll ph with much more natural means like peat moss or baking soda

Never use an algae destroying chemicle either.

Light + Nutrient = Plants

No plants=Algae because there is nothing to use the excess nutrient.

A UV sterilizer or Diatom filter will remove some of the nutrient, but you will always have some algae, it's actually means your tank is healthy.

Hope this helps.


OR YOU CAN GATHER YOUR CROP DRY IN THE SUN FOR 1 DAY THEN SMOKE IT ROFL

[mrgreen]

hahahahhahahhahahhah , i read the post and i was all too informative , then i seen the bottom line hahahhaha , thats me old mate seby for ya

[mrseby]

Go yah GOOD THING GREENY

HOWS THOSE NICE X ALBINO COMMING ALONG rofl

REMEMBER TO SAVE 1/2 FOR ME LOL

[mrgreen]

lmao , seby if u aint careful ill hunt u down and cross breed my foot to ur backside just remember there are some young impresional guys n girls on the forum , and ur corrupting there poor little minds
lol
*shakes head*

steve green

[mrseby]

Hay Greeny hope u have a little foot ...LOL

YOU DA MAN !!!

How are the little beuties comming anyway ?
As far as i know u are the only guy in ozz with them

And man they are nice ......KEEP IT REAL !!!!!!

WEST SIDE IS DA BEST

[me]

fo shizzle

[mrgreen]

lmao , yeah seb there doin ok , things have slowed with my female deciding to vacation for a few weeks , but im sure shell be back on the job , at the moment i have 3 different mouthfuls (or survivors) growin up , for a total of 9 , 3 being over 5cm now
ill keep ya posted

[eX024]

hey mrseby, if brown algea occurs in aquariums with less light, and green slime and bearded algea in more light, how come I get both then! Nah you must be right cause I get green at the top of my tall rock mainly and brown mainly in grooves on shells and under substrate on class. So I guess my tank has more and less light at the same time

And what about that white algea (I don't actaully think its algea) that builds up on the black plastic and suction cups around my heater?

Your post was quite informative, thanks

- Oh yeah, is there a way to add iron to my tank without buying chemicals or something?

[mrseby]

Hiya Ex

Bingo !!
(I get green at the top of my tall rock mainly and brown mainly in grooves on shells and under substrate on class. So I guess my tank has more and less light at the same time)

As for the suction cup thing i really never looked into it but i think its more of a by-product of dirt and gunk build-up ...not sure on this one maybe somebody else can shed some light on it ???

I never fertilize any of my tanks.. and my plants run wild i have to trim them every week !!!or else they just take over and i can't see the fish ..lol


The secret (and i will see if i can post some pics) is not to add anything but when u set-up your tank do it right from the start.

I will try to write an articule later this week on how to start a planted tank if interested.

And never use chemicals

Be good

[eX024]

Yeh, I'd be interested in the article.

I've always had trouble with plants, I thinks its cause I never have enough light though.

Cureently I've kept these plants in my 36" tang tank alive for about 2 months which is a record for me, but they keep getting that damn brown algea on their leaves and they ain't looking too good. The most healthy one just sent out a runner though