Minimum algae on wood?

[naturetan]

Hi friends,

Would like to know whether is it possible to have wood free from algae for long, under ideal condition? Or at least minimum growth of algae?

If so, kindly share how to make it possible.

Thanks.

[Simon]

shade it? grow moss on it? balance yr nutrients level

[Plantbrain]

Some herbivores will also selectivity eat certain species of algae that prefer wood. Shrimps are fond of wood. Softer woods seemrf to be cleaned easier than harder woods. You will often get a light green film on rocks and need to clean them off every so often, but I've not had any issues with hard or softer woods. BBA is common on some folk's wood but there is a larger problem going on if you have BBA.

Algae on driftwood is typically not a problem if the other components are met(Nutrients/light/CO2/herbivores etc).
You can take the wood out and mist with H2O2 or dip in bleach etc and then rinse off well and return to the tank.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[FC]

In my past encounters, algae on woods and rocks are nearly impossible to eradicate completely.

Shrimps seems to be the best crew for wood algae but not so much for the rocks. The rocks have to be bleached every month.

Boil the woods, bleach it and wash them carefully before you place them in the tank. That will save you from BBA for a start.

[naturetan]

Now looks like I've to be more careful with all components if I decide to layout big, heavy or numerous woods/rocks in tank. A clean of it can become a labor for such setup...[] Definitely not for the novice.

Thanks everyone for sharing.

[Plantbrain]

Many folks simply plant their wood with Java fern, moss etc.
I like some grain and color of the wood exposed but I've never bleached my wood etc. I really do not think having algae free wood is impossible. I've had algae free wood for many years.
Some of the pieces of wood I have are rather large, some well over a meter. I've never had to remove them or clean them.
Yes, Cladophora and BBA can and will attach and also Pithophora (in high current w/aeration) but generally the wood is clean (if the plants are) and if the plants do well. Some harder wood like Mopani tree root will get green spot but if good CO2/nutrients are addressed green spot algae is not an issue. It seems to preferred less porous surfaces like glass and rock.

Orientation/location of the wood to the lights also will reduce algae potential.

Regards,
Tom Barr