Problem of Lack of algae...anyone?

**Low Tech Tan** · 26th Mar 2014, 22:33

Hi,

just thought to participate in this forum since I am a local & this forum has given me answers in my googling.
first off, its great to learn from you guys!

I'm a newbie with planted tanks, and only using the low tech method, having only 1 tank to experiment with. This is my first tank but second attempt at making it work, and so far, it seems stable. I started the tank with several small leaves of water sprite in one corner of the tank.

Just like to know if anyone here faces the problem of lack of algae?

I have a low tech planted tank with no filter, no CO2, only LED light of unknown watt. No ferts.
Plants include water sprite, common anubias, some kind of sword leaf anubias, mini sword plant (I think), fissidens and just planted glosso in the foreground. I also added a kind of plant with long stem and 4-leaf clover (dunno the name) among my thriving water sprites.
Tank size 40cm long.

Plants seem to be doing well, even the glosso is growing.
I used to have algae on leaves n tank walls, but my algae army consisting of Amano, RCS, Oto, and nerite snails have cleaned up all the algae since I introduced them to the tank awhile back.
I am constantly hoping for enough algae to feed my algae quad, and have even added boiled vege for the oto. I'm now afraid my snails might starve...lol

I went crazy and added 30 Endlers guppies, trying to spike the bioload and create some algae, but so far it is not working. But I assume even though there are no visible algae, whatever new algae must have been eaten each time it grows?

Anyone's snails or otos ever died from lack of algae before? Just kinda worried about my otos n snails.

Low Tech,
Tan

**Urban Aquaria** · 26th Mar 2014, 23:32

Don't worry... your tank is still new, the initial algae were just soft diatoms/green algae which are easy and quick for the algae eaters to deal with, with the increased bio-load you will get other types of tougher algae popping up soon, just wait. If you want to accelerate the algae growth, just increase the light intensity or leave the lights on for >12-14 hours, more types of algae will appear soon enough.

Its actually not necessary to have visible algae for the algae eaters, they will eat the bio-film and micro-organisms in the tank that are invisible to our eyes. If you are worried that it may not be sufficient (ie. otocinclus tummy starting to look flat or sunken), then just supplement their diet with algae wafers and vegetables, so they have access to extra foods whenever they need to.

**Low Tech Tan** · 27th Mar 2014, 00:10

Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria

Don't worry... your tank is still new, the initial algae were just soft diatoms/green algae which are easy and quick for the algae eaters to deal with, with the increased bio-load you will get other types of tougher algae popping up soon, just wait. If you want to accelerate the algae growth, just increase the light intensity or leave the lights on for >12-14 hours, more types of algae will appear soon enough.

Its actually not necessary to have visible algae for the algae eaters, they will eat the bio-film and micro-organisms in the tank that are invisible to our eyes. If you are worried that it may not be sufficient (ie. otocinclus tummy starting to look flat or sunken), then just supplement their diet with algae wafers and vegetables, so they have access to extra foods whenever they need to.

Thanks! I didn't know that bio film or micro organisms work too. Used to have some sort of brownish algae on the leaves n tank walls, but I'm surprised the algae eaters scrubbed everything clean.
Occasionally some algae forms on the leaves of the anubias, but gets eaten up quickly.
I was worried because I thought one of the oto's tummy was a little flat/sunken...lol
I already run the lights for 12-14hrs daily.
I use my RCS as a gauge for water parameters, followed by the Amano shrimps

But now that I know biofilm and micro organisms will do, I think I will just sit back and relax.
I'm just waiting on how the glosso and 4-leaf clover will do, because they are the latest additions, and are just an experiment.
If they survive, and thrive...or the glosso actually carpets nicely...I will be amazed...lol...

**Urban Aquaria** · 27th Mar 2014, 01:34

Yeah, the brown algae is diatoms, very common in new tanks and easy to remove, otos and shrimps love to eat those, most algae eaters can usually clear it all away overnight. The next algae types which may appear are the more challenging beard algae, hair algae or green spot algae etc (depending on your lights, Co2 and nutrient balance).

Just curious, what is the name and model of the LED lights you are using? If you are already running 12-14 hours of photoperiod during this initial period and not getting much visible algae, then i assume its a relatively low intensity light?

Btw, if you spot one of the otos with noticeably sunken stomach (but in comparison the other otos in the same tank have nice round tummy), then that oto might just be ill (maybe carried over internal parasites or not in good condition from the start) and it may eventually weaken and succumb in time, so do monitor that one.

**zhaoronglim** · 27th Mar 2014, 01:42

U can feed your algae eaters blanched zucchini. The otos love it!

**furyprix** · 27th Mar 2014, 09:30

Well, u should be happy with zero algae. It kind of gets overwhelming when algae sets in on a big scale...
My low-tech doesn't get algae too, I have 0 algae crew in that tank that has been going on for half a year? Chances to tackling algae should be lower in low tech setups since it's much easier to balance water parameters with light

**Low Tech Tan** · 27th Mar 2014, 11:00

I guess you guys have made sense for me thanks. Algae problem is best avoided. I had wished for those brown algae to reappear, but now that I understand more, I should be happy with my low maintenance low tech tank.
Noted Urban Aquaria...as for light brand n wattage....I threw away the box long ago, so Im not too sure, but I think my lighting is at least medium. Not low for sure, nor super duper strong. Medium strong IMO.
I will try adding a pic on my light later. My pics are poor...taken with lousy iPad lol...

Because I have an overdose of RCS, after I added 10 more endlers (incl 5 females) and plants, some RCS started dying at night.
I suspect it might be due to lack of oxygen after lights out?

**limz_777** · 27th Mar 2014, 16:57

brown diatoms usually appear during the first few stages , if you intend to have green dust , just throw more light in , some goby keepers even shine light sideways just to get algae going.

if still no algae go for the unforgiving sunlight

**Low Tech Tan** · 27th Mar 2014, 20:54

lol Limz...thanks...but I intend to keep it almost algae free and greenwater free....lol...

My glosso is growing well so far...this is the 2nd day...very vibrant and growing. Fingers crossed.