Algae

[Tom Hickey]

Fish are doing great and the plants are growing like weeds. Algae is also starting to grow, any help out there. Trying to keep the sun off but was hoping for a fish or water creature that like algae. HELP

[Hydroponics Curacao]

don't let the water get sunlight. Water and sunlight ---> algae. And algae will take all the oxygen out of the water. So your fishes and you plants will die. So you have to block the sunlight as soon as possible.

[TCLynx]

If bright sun is hitting nutrient rich water you are likely to get algae growth.  If it is just a surface coating of algae it won't be much of a problem but if the water is turning green (ala pea soup) you really need to block light from the water big time until it clears up.  Once some of that floating algae is dieing in your media beds it may help inhibit future algae blooms to a point but you still need to keep most of the direct sun from hitting your fish tank water.

 

Many creatures will eat algae but green water culture is generally not advisable in Aquaponics since it can play havoc with pH, Dissolved oxygen levels and steel most of the nutrients you would probably rather have for growing your veggies.

 

If you got pea soup starting to happen, you are not going to solve it by adding just a few of some type of fish or other creature, you have to block the light from your tank and make sure you have plenty of extra aeration since when the algae dies it can use up lots of dissolved oxygen while it breaks down.

 

If you just have surface algae going on, you might see about some pelecos or something but I believe they need rather warm water so they won't do if your system is going to get cold here for the winter.

[Tom Hickey]

Thank you very much

TCLynx said:

If bright sun is hitting nutrient rich water you are likely to get algae growth.  If it is just a surface coating of algae it won't be much of a problem but if the water is turning green (ala pea soup) you really need to block light from the water big time until it clears up.  Once some of that floating algae is dieing in your media beds it may help inhibit future algae blooms to a point but you still need to keep most of the direct sun from hitting your fish tank water.

 

Many creatures will eat algae but green water culture is generally not advisable in Aquaponics since it can play havoc with pH, Dissolved oxygen levels and steel most of the nutrients you would probably rather have for growing your veggies.

 

If you got pea soup starting to happen, you are not going to solve it by adding just a few of some type of fish or other creature, you have to block the light from your tank and make sure you have plenty of extra aeration since when the algae dies it can use up lots of dissolved oxygen while it breaks down.

 

If you just have surface algae going on, you might see about some pelecos or something but I believe they need rather warm water so they won't do if your system is going to get cold here for the winter.

[Tom Hickey]

Thank you. good advice.

Hydroponics Curacao said:

don't let the water get sunlight. Water and sunlight ---> algae. And algae will take all the oxygen out of the water. So your fishes and you plants will die. So you have to block the sunlight as soon as possible.

[Hydroponics Curacao]

you're welcom

[Cindy A Dages]

Hi all

I have my IBC system full of water and media for about a week now.  It is in a green house with double layer plastic inflated.  Outer layer is UV type.  I am starting to get green fuzzy "algae" on all  sides and pump hose.  It is very light at the moment but I would like to start with clean water.  I am holding back on adding the goldie sdue to low water temps. (48-50 degrees)  Your advise is to cover tank to block out sunlight.  Is a shade clothe enough for the top?  And would foam insulation board a round the outside of IBC take care of the rest?  Is it light in general that causes green fuzzy algae, or direct sunlight?  I'm waiting for a new test kit later this week and will be able to maybe tell a little more then.  But would like to get this green fuzz gone asap.

 

Thanks

Cindy

 

[TCLynx]

Cindy, a small amount of green fuzzy is not a bad thing really.  String algae is a sign of clean water so I wouldn't worry about removing it or anything like that.  Just cover that tank to block out most of the light.

Foam board around the outside would be fine and shade cloth over the top is good (perhaps you will need more than one layer depending on the particular shade cloth but it will also double as a cover to help keep debris out of your tank so a good thing all around.  The fish for the most part will be fine with a relatively dark environment as long as there is enough light penetration to tell night from day and that amount of shade should take care of the algae.

[Cindy A Dages]

Ok Thanks TC, I forgot to mention that the top part of the IBC is the GB and is setting on top of the FT, so not quite half of the top of tank is open.  With your answer, I am putting the white foam board up around the outside.  Painting black is sorta out of the question right now, so the foam board will be good.  It will be 1.5 " thick so will help with temp control also.

TCLynx said:

Cindy, a small amount of green fuzzy is not a bad thing really.  String algae is a sign of clean water so I wouldn't worry about removing it or anything like that.  Just cover that tank to block out most of the light.

Foam board around the outside would be fine and shade cloth over the top is good (perhaps you will need more than one layer depending on the particular shade cloth but it will also double as a cover to help keep debris out of your tank so a good thing all around.  The fish for the most part will be fine with a relatively dark environment as long as there is enough light penetration to tell night from day and that amount of shade should take care of the algae.

[TCLynx]

Unfortunately in aquaponics insulating around the outside of the tank will only help minimally since most of the heat exchange will happen through the flood and drain grow bed but at least that will 1, help protect your plastic from the sun and 2, help with the algae issue.

Now if you can make a side panel removable to let light in to make it easier to view the fish but then leave it in place most of the time, it would probably make fish viewing far easier/enjoyable.  I did notice that when I had the IBC set up at market, with the wrap around the tank it was darker in there and helped against the algae but it got far easier to see the fish when I pulled the wrap aside during market hours.

And with the cover over the fish tank.  If you can figure out a way to install it so that it can double as the inverted fish trampoline it would be good.  Many people have experienced the fish jumped out issue and some form of net or shade cloth cover to bounce them back down instead of letting them try their luck walking is great.

[drumurphy]

You will always have some algae - it's a sign of good nutrient levels. We put big common pleco catfish (hypostomus plecostomus) in our raft hydroponic beds - plecos eat and eat the stuff, and are pretty tolerant of temperature etc. It also helps to keep as much light off the open water areas as you can - one great way is to introduce duckweed into your beds - it will fill up every nook and cranny of open water that gets good sun, and thus shade out the worst of the algae - while growing some extra tilapia food to boot - beyond that, some algae is just part of the "Aquaponic Lifestyle" ....................