university project on algae control

[Billa]

I am a student at the university of wales, and an avid fish keeper. I managed to worm my way round my projec tutor and get him to agree to letting me undertake a fish/invert based project.

The project is about the control of biofilms in aquatic systems" Or the control epilithic or epiphytic algae. I am looking for species lists that would be compatible, and that work when trying to get rid of that damn annoying algae.

I have a good idea about the kind of species that people would be using, but i need people to let me know about their experiences with certain animals in removing algae.

Were they effective, if not why not.
What else did you feed them
Any mistakes you made
If your method of algae control was better than chemical control
Any side effects.

I know that most people are busy, and i cannot offer any financial incentive, but i would be most greatful to hear about your stories of algae control. Anyone that contributes any information will be mentioned in the project, and i will put the project up for people to read, as a whole dossier of organims would no doubt prove useful to all aquarists alike.

Thanks for you time, Jordan.

You can email me at osuc69@bangor.ac.uk

 

[Psyhampster]

I've never had to deal with algeae, but I can recommend Ottos, any type of snail, plecos, and cory cats.

 

[Umberle]

My platies graze on algea on the side of the tank so I've stopped scraping it off. But they don't do it in any appreciable way, I don't think I could control algae that way in any case.....all though I'll let you know if the levels stay stable in a couple of weeks.

 

[hashbaz]

I had a lot hair algae a while back. I remember watching plecos and algae eaters eat right over it without it coming off. Then it eventually went away all by itself. I still don't know why. This is the way algae always seems to go for me. It comes, I fight it, I give up, and it goes away all by itself. There has to be something fluctuating in the tank, but I can't figure out what it is.

How long do you have to work on this project? - it seems like algae always shows up on new aquariums and seems to either go away or stabilize (somewhat) as the tank gets established.

Let us know what you find.

 

[mattrox]

If you want a constant supply of algae set the tank up so it gets dappled sunglight. Not a lot, just an hour or so in the evening or morning as the sun sets or rises. Sure fire way to keep up algae while you see what controls it.

I wipe my tank with a paper towel or soft cloth (Chux brand in Aust.) gets all this type of algae off without scrubbing.