Algae Help

[Jacquie]

Howdy all.

To most of you, my problem would be a dream come true. No matter how hard I try, I can't get algae to grow in my tank. I need it for my hillstreams.

I've tried having fluro lights, normal lights and even allowing natural sunlight to shine on the tank. But I cant make the algae grow.

Any suggestions as to how I can encourage algae growth?

[jeffs99dime]

phosphate stimulates algae. want some of my algae? j/k

[Fishguy2727]

There has to be some algae in the water for it to start to grow. This is usually not an issue, but in this case you may want to go to the LFS and buy a piece of decoration out of their display tanks that has algae on it. Then you can add a plant food made for house plants, as some of the aquarium ones won't have nitrogen or phosphorus in them (nitrates and phosphates).

[kimmers318]

Not too familiar with hillstreams but since you said they need algae, can you supplement with algae tabs? Maybe they are doing so good at eating the exising algae before it becomes a problem you don't ever have any to see. I know my bristlenose pleco does such an awesome job I regularly have to supplement her food, and then plop decor from other tanks in with her so she can clean them off for me!