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Algea in the undergravel filter (on purpose)
I was just reading one of the post on the krib
(http://www.thekrib.com/Filters/algae-ugf.html) about growing algea in an undergravel filter. It apparently eliminated the algea bloom usuall ountered when setting up a new tank, as well as preventing algea from ever setting in (I know you can prevent algea by over planting and making sure the plants grow perfectly, however, this method seems really interesting too, without the need to control everything just so). I was wondering if the original poster (Wright Huntley) might still be around and maybe have an update for us as to how things have turned out over the last two years. Or if he's not around, maybe we could discuss this idea a bit. What does everyone think of it? Does it seem reasonable? Thanks, Harry -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =----- |
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Algea in the undergravel filter (on purpose)
"Harry Muscle" wrote in message ...
I was just reading one of the post on the krib (http://www.thekrib.com/Filters/algae-ugf.html) about growing algea in an undergravel filter. It apparently eliminated the algea bloom usuall ountered when setting up a new tank, as well as preventing algea from ever setting in (I know you can prevent algea by over planting and making sure the plants grow perfectly, however, this method seems really interesting too, without the need to control everything just so). I was wondering if the original poster (Wright Huntley) might still be around and maybe have an update for us as to how things have turned out over the last two years. Or if he's not around, maybe we could discuss this idea a bit. What does everyone think of it? Does it seem reasonable? Thanks, Harry Wright's still around. I doubt you'll find much support for algae. Less algae is better for plant tanks. UG filters are not what folks want for the plants either. If you don't have any plants etc, then this will help some, but so would adding floating plants like water sprite etc. Floating plants only need nutrients to do well since they already get lots of light and plenty of CO2. Regards, Tom Barr Regards, Tom Barr |
#3
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Algea in the undergravel filter (on purpose)
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#4
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Algea in the undergravel filter (on purpose)
"So it does sound reasonable that one would be able to limit the algea
growth to just the area where I want it to be? The only reason why I would shy away from just trying this would because of the fear that the algea would end up spreading to the rest of the tank. Anybody have experience with an algal scrubber (which is what this basically is). Does the algea have a tendency of spreading to the rest of the tank, or is it happy staying where you want it to be? Thanks, Harry" I used several designs for algal scrubbing in FW tanks. As far as something to export nutrients (the only reason one would find to use the darn things) plants are far more effective at export than algae are. If you are going to use one, they require more light than plants for the similar nutrient export. The algae on the bottom of the tank will evwentually rot, decay as it builds up and this will no longer help. You need to export the excess nutrients somehow for this to work well over the long term. You also need to assume excess nutrients cause algae in planted tanks. That's a _big_ assumption. NH4 perhaps, but the others are not a problem if you have enough plant mass/decent growth. Planted tank is the goal is it not? Should you focus on healthy plant growth rather than nutrient exports? The less algae the better. Aquatic plants require more nutrients than algae and more PO4. I have seen numerous research papers to this effect as well as growing plants for many years and the pattern clearly shows this. Try the plant filter, you'll have much more success. Regards, Tom Barr |
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