I need to know how to grow algae. I do not want green water, I want it on my filters and decorations. Does anyone have any tips? I have a 20 watt Sunshine bulb that I have left on for 3 weeks, with no results. I also took algae from the aquariums at work with no results. All I end up with is cloudy water (white cloudy). My filter is a Whisper 60. Tank size is 29 gallon. Also, would comet goldfish get too big for a 29 gallon? I just want two or three.

Daniel

Algae has a funny way of creeping up all of sudden, but it tends to take a while to start it. Is this a brand new tank? Is it cycled? Is the common going to be the only fish in the tank?

You might want to consider cultivating the algae after introducing your pets into the tank. Algae need food just like other organisms, so their waste would be great.

Well, I was going to put two comets in there.


The tank was set up about 4 weeks ago and I am still not done cycling. I have set up my 60 gallon filter on a 10 gallon tank to get bbs in it, and I have rinsed a sponge filter from the tanks at work in a bag of dechlorinated water from the tank so I could have some bbs. I think I am about to ditch the filter as it is loud anyways. I have sand in the bottom of my tank, can that be the cause of not finishing my cycle? Is this why I can't grow algae?

Daniel

Hi there. Sand won't cause your tank not to cycle, but I have heard others say it's not too good for goldfish. Many people find it's better to have no substrate or to use some large river rocks. Cycling just takes time, especially with no fish. Try reading some of the info on this site about fishless cycling, I've never done it myself, but there are some good tips there.

As for the algae, like Nenn said, it kind of creeps up. One day you have none, you wake up the next and it's covering everything!!!! You're doing everything you can, it will grow for sure

I know how to properly cycle a tank. I have been fishkeeping since I was 12. This cycle seems to be taking longer than all the others on my other tanks. I put two comet gf in there, I hope it isn't too much for a 29 gallon. Maybe I will get some algae soon. Thanks for everyone's help, tho!!

Danie;

You're not even at 1 watt per gallon. I'd suggest 3 watts per gallon, and see what happens. (total guess here)

Yes, that's too many fish. It's 20 gallons per fish for single-tailed goldies.

Thanks for catching that Lola, I didn't even realize the wattage.

Green algae LOVES light. The brighter the better, especially if you have access to natural sunlight.

I am going to get rid of the comet gf and get two orandas or fantails (haven't decided yet). Atleast my tank will get very well cycled before I get them. I will give these fish to a woman at my work that has a pond.

Daniel

That's great A lot of times I hear people say they're using commons to cycle, but I always wonder what happens to them once the cycling is done

Also, as someone else mentioned, natural sunlight makes a HUGE difference for algae. I've started leaving the blinds open in the room with my goldie tank, as I'm trying to coat the back and sides with algae, and does it ever work!!! It's like I woke up one day and had a green tank.

the only algae you will get with lighting under 1watt per gal is brown algae and even that will have trouble growing. 2-3watts per gal and you will get some luscious green algae. It kind of creeps in as said it took ages for me to get algae in my 60gal but in my 30gal which has been up since christmas i have already gotten algae like 2weeks after it was set up lol.