Freshwater Algea Reef

[markstrimaran]

African lake Malwai cichlids, Mbuna and Peacocks. In the wild eat the algea off the rocks, as fast as it can grow.

The 75 gallon tank, is illuminated with a reef light, suitable for salt water corals. Then some custom LED configurations.
The tall thin algea growing walls, are line of sight breaks, That help avoid conflict. As it takes about 25 cichlids in a 75 gallon tank, to keep it mowed.

They also are constantly reproducing, It provides hideout for the fry, and fish holding eggs.

 

[tarheel96]

This has always been one of favorite tanks. Most people avoid algae at all costs but Mark seeds and grows it in this tank .. and it serves several purposes and looks terrific imo.

How many watts total? These are t5ho reef lights?

 

[markstrimaran]

This has always been one of favorite tanks. Most people avoid algae at all costs but Mark seeds and grows it in this tank .. and it serves several purposes and looks terrific imo.

How many watts total? These are t5ho reef lights?

Their are about 100, 3 watt led bulbs. Mixed wave lengths, but heavy on the actinic side.

Probably only using about 100 watts, as their not on full power all the time.

Then I have found that I have some red leds, which will only grow the long strand algea, in the 640nm? Which I have been tinkering with.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

Interesting concept. Thanks for sharing.

 

[markstrimaran]

Tank gets about 2 hours of direct sun light during the winter months.

 

[duanes]

I also encourage algae growth, not only for Africans, but in all fry, and breeder tanks.


the Herichthys carpintus pairs tank below got lots of southern exposure sun (no artificial light), you can see the growth on the back panel.

 

[dan518]

I am a big fan of algae as well, my old biffa and my new Hypselecara both eat hair algae. Very useful for fry.

 

[ichthyogeek]

I wonder how the algae growth fares on calcium carbonate rock...the line of sight breaks remind me of the shelf rock the BRS sells...and I bet that they'd also buffer the tanks to a higher pH as well

 

[cockroach]

I used to hate algae. Then, after studying relationships in nature more, I came to really like well grown and established algae.
IN my 75gal Kribensis stream tank, the fish dined out on the different algae growing in the tank.
Do you know the types of algae growing in your tank?

 

[markstrimaran]

The algea grows best on the rock substrate. The vertical pieces are HDPE plastic. They are too perpendicular to the lights, to catch full light.

The algea growing increases the PH, this tank has a 100 watt red LED, algea biofilter also, The ph will range from 8.0 in the morning to 8.4 in the late afternoon.