Is algae benefical or harmful in my axolotl's tank?

[richardj]

I've got brownish algae growing inside the glass and on the ornaments in my axie's tank. I scrape it off the glass, but it's growing well on the side of the ornaments that face the window (It never gets direct sunshine).

I was wondering if this is harmful or good in the tank? Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[SapphireTigress]

Re: Is algae benefical or harmful in my axolotyl's tank?

from what i've been reading about algae, its not harmful, just ugly. It can provide the same function as the plants people purposely put in their tanks

One way I've read to get rid of your algae is to plant some other things in there, that will use up the nutrients that the algae is using, this should help control it, since there will be less food for it to grow.

My friend has some tanks that he forgot about pretty much with fish in them, and they are so full of algae you cant see the fish (they are in there though, i saw shadows moving around...he says they are breeding like crazy in there, so I'm sure its just an aesthetics thing.

here is a link i found explaining the why's and how's of algae control...just use Google and you will find a ton of info. I couldnt find the links i used before, but I'm sure you will find some good ones too.

Dealing with Algae - The First Tank Guide - Algae Control in your Freshwater Aquarium
Hope this helped

 

[Gromky]

Is it a fairly new tank? Brown aglae is usually diatoms feeding on silicates (sand especially leaches silicates early on). It's not harmful at all, all algae does is pull nutrients (including harmful nitrogen) out of the water.

Getting rid of it can be hard. Low light, keep feeding minimal, and scrape algae right before you change water (sucking up as much algae as possible).

 

[richardj]

Thanks for the info. That's helpul. I's no problem keeping the glass clean. I will just let the stuff grow on the ornaments happy in the knowledge that it it improving the water quality.

Thanks again

 

[MochiGuu]

May I hijack this thread for my own algae issue? I have brown fluff growing on my lovely plants and need to get rid of it, the water is green and cloudy, too. But there are axolotls in there. What product can I throw in there to kill the algae but spare the animals?

 

[HayleyK]

Mochi, sounds like you have an algae bloom. I would avoid chemicals or any product as they most likely will harm your axolotl. Follow what gromky said, water change frequently. Monitor water parameters as constant changes may affect your cycle.

 

[LurkDog]

Re: Is algae benefical or harmful in my axolotyl's tank?

One way I've read to get rid of your algae is to plant some other things in there, that will use up the nutrients that the algae is using, this should help control it, since there will be less food for it to grow.


Dealing with Algae - The First Tank Guide - Algae Control in your Freshwater Aquarium
Hope this helped

Is it possible to put plants in a tank that is already established? Or do you have to start over so that you can put dirt in?

 

[pondweed]

Re: Is algae benefical or harmful in my axolotyl's tank?

Is it possible to put plants in a tank that is already established? Or do you have to start over so that you can put dirt in?

Nope, there are some plants that don't need to be rooted in substrate.

Axolotls have a reputation as amateur landscapers, so plants that grow in substrate risk being uprooted. Plants with rhizomes fare better, as these can be attached to driftwood and rocks.

Some people plant theirs in plant pots, or pyrex dishes. (There was a really neat idea about aquarium-safe-siliconing pebbles to the bottom of these as "feet", and the gap beneath doubled as a hide!)

Because Axolotls don't like a lot of light, you're kind of limited what you can have in your tank. I set up my tank for axolotls (but switched to fish because I didn't know if I'd be able to commit to something as long-lived as axies and would have the space for their tank) so I have Java Fern and Anubias attached to mopani wood. Java moss is also generally good, and marimo moss balls (a pretty kind of algae!)

I'm a beginner to aquaria, and my plants are thriving (I noticed a new flower growing on my Anubia when I changed the water today. Or it's a new leaf roll. I didn't pay much attention). They're apparently quite hard to kill off.

Amazon frog bit is also meant to be good for providing surface cover, but I'm waiting to get some at the moment, so don't have any experience.