Soilwork
Member
- Joined
- 22 Nov 2015
- Messages
- 558
Is it just me or is algae an inevitability in a new tank? I love reading the planted tank journals on the forum but one particular trend I seem to notice, especially in high tech tanks is that the tank seems to run perfectly for a couple of weeks and then chaos. After about 3-6 months of battling algae outbreaks the tank just takes off and no more algae.
During this period the hobbyist attempts a multitude of correctional measures to suppress the algae, usually creates other threads in the algae section and is bombarded with techniques to improve the situation. After this, the algae finally disappears and the hobbyist cannot conclude which alterations defeated the algae because there were too many variables.
My idea is that the tank simply matured and as a result, the biological decomposition reached maximum efficiency. Oxygen demand alleviated.
I believe that tanks run well initially because the plants whilst adapting to life underwater use carbon stores to transition and the new water is clear of organic wastes.
From a romantic perspective, I like to believe that algae is a safety net, a cellular programme designed to support a potentially compromised system. A system devoid of balance. To provide food and oxygen to support higher life until the system is in full flow and a higher order can take over.
So with that said, I believe the only true algae deterrent is patience….
Regards
CJ
During this period the hobbyist attempts a multitude of correctional measures to suppress the algae, usually creates other threads in the algae section and is bombarded with techniques to improve the situation. After this, the algae finally disappears and the hobbyist cannot conclude which alterations defeated the algae because there were too many variables.
My idea is that the tank simply matured and as a result, the biological decomposition reached maximum efficiency. Oxygen demand alleviated.
I believe that tanks run well initially because the plants whilst adapting to life underwater use carbon stores to transition and the new water is clear of organic wastes.
From a romantic perspective, I like to believe that algae is a safety net, a cellular programme designed to support a potentially compromised system. A system devoid of balance. To provide food and oxygen to support higher life until the system is in full flow and a higher order can take over.
So with that said, I believe the only true algae deterrent is patience….
Regards
CJ
