Algae won't grow in my tank-why not? I a told it is bad if the tank doesn't support algae growth?

Question

I have asked before, but I need help with this issue. I have a 35gallon tank with one Oscar. I almost never change the water, I just add more to it and I rarely change the filter. I even added a rock with algae on it and the algae seems to be dying, not growing. I read that it is bad to have no algae in your tank because it means that the water isn't healthy for your fish. What do I need to change to help the algae grow in my tank...therefore, making the water healthier for my fish?

Answer 1

You really do need to do regular water changes on your tank, especially with an Oscar. You didn't say how big your Oscar is, but they tend to put a lot of waste into the water. I would say you need to do at least a 30% weekly water change. The filter is not as important as long as it is functioning correctly and not blocked by detritus.

To have algae, you have to have adequate light. What kind of lighting fixture do you have on your tank. Is your tank heavily planted with live plants? The reason that I ask that question is, live plants take nutrients from the water for their own growth. In heavily planted tanks, you seldom see a lot of algae growth. I can't imagine that you have live plants because your Oscar would probably keep them uprooted.

I've had aquariums for 30 plus years and I've never seen a tank that did not have some algae growing in it. In fact, most people complain about having too much algae! If you've got adequate light.....you should have algae.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/water_changes.php

"As a general guideline, you could start with a 20-30% water change once a week. Some people prefer to do a larger change less frequently, such as 40-50% every two weeks. I believe the latter is less desirable since the water chemistry changes more dramatically at once, putting more stress on the fish. Alternately, if your bio-load (ratio of fish to water volume) is low and you don’t overfeed, you may be able to do a smaller water change less frequently and still maintain good water quality."

Frequent water changes is the key to good water quality and will NOT keep your aquarium cycling all the time. Since the nitrifying bacteria live in the gravel and the medium in your filter, you have sufficient numbers of bacteria in your tank.

Answer 2

Adam, if you never change the water, don't do a big water change right away. That alone could kill your fish. Your oscar has gotten used to astronomical amounts of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites over the long period of time that you haven't done any water changes. The amounts have increased very slowly and he is dealing with it. However, he is most assuredly under terrific stress from the elevated levels of toxins in the water. I would change no more than 5% of the water the first time. Wait a couple days and then change 10%. Then change 10% every other day for about a week. This should slowly bring down the toxin levels and not send your fish into shock.

Whoever that was that said you should never change 30% of the water knows very little about taking care of aquariums. The most important thing you can do to keep your fish health is to do REGULAR PARTIAL WATER CHANGES. The nitrogen cycle is not affected by regular partial water changes. It is affected by a total water change, then it has to start all over again.

I have 22 tanks up and running at present and I do a 25-30% water change on each one of them EVERY WEEK. In the tanks that have babies, I do water changes every 4 days. Some professional breeders do 50% water changes DAILY on certain types of fish that are very sensitive to water quality.

Answer 3

Oscars are pretty hardy and can take extremes of pH (6-8) that would kill most fish. It may be that your pH is to high for most algae. Keep in mind a lot of algae growth is a bad thing. As it indicates high amounts of nitrates/nitrites. Brown algae is indicative of poor water conditions. It may be that you don't have enough nitrates, and light to grow much algae. Personally my goal is always minimal algae in my tank.

All of the above said. You need to be doing regular water changes. Nothing big 10% per week, and doing it via a cheap gravel vacuum (siphon) would be best. I'd also test the pH, and ammonia/nitrate levels. If they are really high you should do more aggressive water changes like 20% for a couple of weeks. Remember that your Oscar can take extremes in water chemistry, but it can't take rapid changes.

Answer 4

No Algae In Fish Tank

Answer 5

The fact is, there is algae in your tank. Algae can also come in microscopic forms. There is algae in every tank. But if the fish is doing well, then the water should be okay. One fish doesn't produce much poop, and algae grows on poop. There is no algae in my tank, and my fish are fine. If you are really worried, have your water proffessionally tested. The algae rock you put in? That probably died because it wasn't used to that kind of filtered water or it was going to die anyway. It takes a long time for algae to grow. Don't try to grow it. It can grow on its own.

Answer 6

I've never heard this before. Most people would love to have your problem, because most people can't get rid of algea. Algea growth is associated with how much light reaches your tank. The more light, especailly sunlight, the more probability of algea. As long as your Oscar and water appear to be doing OK, then I wouldn't worry about anything. Just make sure you do a regular water change.

Answer 7

wow some of the asners to your question are just dumb. never change 30% every week that will keep your tank going thur a nitrogin cycle and kill your fish. what you need to to is go to your local fish store and get a a water test dip stirps and test your water. the ph is probibly realy low that is why your tank cannot support alge. if the ph is low it means the tank is acidic and it is like the fish is living in acid. bad. if this is the problem then all you need is powder ph up let me knoe if i can help and how the test comes back and ill gladly help u out more

Answer 8

You don't want a lot of algae in the tank.
It blocks out sunlight and takes oxygen out of the water.
It's probably good if you aren't getting a bunch of it growing!
A little is probably OK put the tank in indirect sunlight.

Answer 9

Why are you complaining? the water is healthy and you don't have to keep cleaning it!

Answer 10

check you nitrate and nitrite levels