Do you think if I add floating plants the plants will decrease the amount of algal growth in my tropical tank?

Answer 1

Any plant addition will help compete for the nitrates that the algae is feeding on so yes, the floating plants will help. But if there will be a significant reduction in algae depends on how much algae you have and how many floating plants. Your best bet is to attack the source and reduce the nitrates by water changes. If your nitrates are already 20 ppm or less, then it might be to much phosphate but the usual culprit is nitrate. Of course, unless the phosphate is in your water supply or food (as a preservative), then your best option of removal is still frequent water changes.

Answer 2

algae is formed when there is an imbalacne of light/dark and an abundance of fishy wastes.
so yes, it possibly could decrease the algae if you keep the light on a lot. they would block out the light, but this could have adverse affects on the tank.
if you have plants that need high light, it wouldnt be a good idea. but if you didnt have any other plants, it would be an okay idea.
if you didnt really want to get the plants, but wanted to stop the algae growth, then only have the light on a couple hours a day to start off, lets say 6 hours. do extra cleaning and gravel vac everytime you do a water change, which could be increased to 2 or 3 times a week.

Answer 3

They can help by using the same nutrients that algae uses - the idea is to maintain a balance of nutrition that starves algae but provides for the plants. The problem with this solution is that planted tanks themselves have certain needs, so in the end it won't save you work.

Algae eaters are a lame way to take care of algae - only get them if you actually enjoy the fish and don't by livestock as cleaning tools- they need to be fed other foods for a long and healthy life and create much waste in the tank, which only promotes more growth.

In the end you can combat algae easily by keeping up with water changes and gravel vacuuming, so that waste and 'nutrients' don't build up, and by limiting the light on the tank. Believe it or not, your fish don't need the aquarium light at all - ambient room lighting is enough for them to see by (think of it as a cloudy day). By only turning the lights on when you are home to view the tank, you'd be amazed how much it can slow algae growth.

Answer 4

Algae grows from light. If you float the plants at the surface of your water, it is decreasing the amount of light put out by your light ( Ya, you probably already knew that.) however, the light in your tank does not promote algae growth, sunlight does therefore floating plants unfortunately wont cause a huge change. Might help but i doubt it.

Answer 5

What kind of tank are we talking about?, salt or fresh water?. There are multiple things that contribute to excessive algae growth in a aquarium, and its usually nutrients. Or it could be a combination of nutrients and water chemistry. For example if you are using tap water that contains a lot of phosphates and silicates then that could be one of the reasons you have excessive algae growth or if you over feed your fish that could also be contributing to your problem. How often do you change your water?, My advice would be to if you don't change your water frequently then to start. Try to change at least 25%-20% of your water with fresh (non tap) water atleast once every two weeks, then cut down your feeding. If you see little improvement or no improvement at all, then i would cut your lighting period, for example if you have your lights on 6 hours a day, then cut it down to 4. I promise this will not harm your fish unless you have plants or Corals that require alot of light. Also remember not to overcrowd your tank with live stock because this will contribute to excessive nutrients.

P.S. Floating plants came from the idea of using Mangrove plants in saltwater systems. The whole principle to this idea is that the mangroves plants compete with the algae for nutrients , leaving less nutrients for the algae to absorb so in turn you get less algae growth and cleaner water. How ever this is a widely debated subject amongst saltwater hobbiests.

Answer 6

i don't really have algae problems but i keep floating plants -- they would decrease the light to the rest of the tank and most floating plants love to suck up nitrites and are good for helping cycle a tank. they don't root well so they have adapted to getting all their nutrients out of the water.

its also a big bonus if you have any bettas, gouramis, or paradise fish -- they love to hang out in it. my bettas will push themselves up on top of floating water sprite and hang out.

Answer 7

Algae grows from too much light.....ie.window close by etc.
Try darkening your tank on the sides with black paper/special tank contact and add some snails to help. Catfish also are great cleaners

Answer 8

Algae is caused by more than just too much light.

Yes, additional plants will help cut down on the excess algae.

Answer 9

get an algae eater and don't feed him for a couple of weeks, he'll eat all the algae then you won't have that problem any more, then put the plants in there so he will have something to eat

Answer 10

no you need to decrease the amount of light. if your tank is in front of a window move it otherwise only 8 hrs day or tank light