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Algae, as in larger marine systems, are inevitable in viable
smaller saltwater volumes. ALL bodies of water that can/will support
larger biota have a mix of these simpler forms of photosynthetic life.
As with bigger tanks, you want to be aware of the kinds and just how
much algal growth is useful; and when you should react to noisome
varieties like Blue Green “Algae” (actually more closely related to
bacteria); and when to ignore to simply nudge your system in the
direction you want it to go. In fact, the smaller the volumes you
maintain, the more critical this observation and need for possible
re/action becomes.
To reiterate, don’t be surprised to find the usual “succession” of
diatom, Dinoflagellate, even some BGA growing in your newly set up
smaller marine systems. This event marks the continuation of
establishment of cycling (a good thing); and will pass as your system
matures. The situations in which there is too much algae; unaesthetic to
overgrowing other life, and/or undesirable types should be addressed
promptly.
Here we’ll cover all basic ins and outs of what algae are, what allows
them to proliferate, and their simple to more involved control by
various means.
The “What” of Algae:
The diversity of Thallophytes, BGA is tremendous; they’ve been around as
the first life on this planet onward; are microscopic single celled
organisms to huge kelps of hundreds of feet length and tons in wet
weight. Humans use them for medicines (e.g., agar in petri dish culture
media), emulsifying agents for beer, cosmetics and more (alginates from
brown kelps), foods (blanche mange, Nori…) and much more. For us as
aquarists they can serve to modify: stabilize and optimize, our systems;
act as food, beneficial competitors against less desirable forms, and
even act as ornamental décor in their own right.
So… for simplicity’s sake you can think of “algae” as a grouping of
simple/r photosynthetic life; some of direct and indirect uses (in
moderation) to us as aquarists; others being problematic (or indicative
of problematic conditions) to possibly noxious via their competition or
toxic metabolite production.
Algae: Good, Bad, Ambivalent
Blue Greens: & Red, Black…
Some True Algae
You’d Like & Not: There
are many others Greens, Division Chlorophyta:
Some Browns, Division Phaeophyta
Reds, the fab Rhodophyta!
Diatoms, Dinoflagellates… and more!
Where From Art Thou Algae?
Most aquarists don’t purchase algae specifically; instead having it
“show up” as part of live rock, on other hard material with other
livestock, or as spores or bits in a purchases bag of water. Rest
assured, should you not intentionally add algae, they will still show
up. Of course there are algae one can buy outright; some as pure
cultures from business like Alga Gen.
Best to plan on the fact that your system IS going to have algae; and
better by far for this to be an intentional mix of species you desire;
and to do what you can to favour this mix, in turn disfavoring those you
don’t want.
Approaches to Algal Control:
Are several; here we’ll hit the highlights. There’s
MUCH more depth covered on WetWebMedia.com as well as a recent ebook
available on Amazon by me. The former can be viewed anytime for free,
the latter can be borrowed by Kindle owners for free. Categorically
control means are easily divided into prevention, restriction,
competition and predation. All four should be considered and applied.
Prevention through restricting nutrient input:
As the olde saw goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
You can most easily control nuisance algae by limiting chemical foods
availability. First off this involves your source water. IF it has
considerable nutrient base (e.g. Nitrates, Phosphates…) you should
consider utilizing the most appropriate means of exclusion; for most
folks this is reverse osmosis, but contactors, and more sophisticated
gear is available for aquarists needing very few to a great deal of
water volume.
Be careful re adding foods, particularly any liquids… as these are most
all “pollution in a bottle”; similarly frozen/defrosted foods should be
net-rinsed in freshwater to remove solubilized non-nutritive food juice.
Discreet foods (e.g. pellets) are best overall for most set-ups.
Take care also in “mystery supplement” use. Many products on the market
that don’t list their ingredients are worse than worthless. Avoid them.
Restriction:
Restriction involves a mix of approaches to limit both the introduction
of undesirable forms as well as diluting wastes that ultimately make
their way as foods for chemo-auto-trophic and photosynthetic life.
The process of isolating (quarantining) all new purchases for a few
weeks accomplishes many good ends; one of which is allowing you to
observe it for troubles, including unwanted hitchhikers. Placing
acquisitions apart greatly diminishes the likelihood of introducing pest
algae as spores and thalli.
Restricting metabolite build-up is accomplished through your adherence
to good maintenance practices. Frequent partial water changes in
particular are key to diluting pest-algae fuel. Weekly change outs along
with rotating chemical filtrant media, keeping your skimmer contact
chamber and collection cup clean… all limit undesirable algae growth.
Competitors:
Are organisms that compete with unwanted algae for nutrients, space and
light/ing. This can be more than simply “fighting algae with algae”, as
not only are there other photosynthetic life forms (e.g. corals and
their relatives, some Nudibranchs and more), but often
boosting/bolstering microbial auto-trophs, photosynthetic and not, as in
dosing with carbon (e.g. vodka). Depending on your situation livestock
and system make-up wise there are a few approaches to consider here.
It stands to reason that all forms of life have their roles to play as
prey. Determining what eats the particular kind/s of algae you want to
get rid of can be a challenge however; with “reef safe” hermits for
instance moving on to nibble most all else. Again, depending on the
size, lay-out and types of pest algae you’re dealing with, you’ll need
to investigate and experiment with herbivorous fishes and invertebrates
of use.
Some examples of great algae
eaters:
Cloze:
The take home messages regarding small marine systems
and algae are these:
Bibliography/Further Reading: An e-book by the
author on overall Marine Aquarium Algae, Control is available from
Amazon,
here:
here
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