The truth is algae are not all bad.  Algae play several important roles in your pond or aquarium.

Algae influence carbon and nutrient cycling. They are in aquatic systems what plants are to terrestrial systems. They are at the bottom of the food chain using light as an energy source allowing them to convert the gas carbon dioxide into cellular tissue. And just like plants, algae generate oxygen. They increase dissolved oxygen in the water which good for higher organisms like fish. Much of the earth’s oxygen (>70%) comes from the oceans and algae are responsible for a significant portion of this. Algae, like plants, reduce carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. So give those lowly algae some credit like your life depends on them, because it does.

Let’s focus more on how algae affect a smaller system like a pond or aquarium. 

Algae get their nutrients from whatever is dissolved in the water.  Probably most important to ponders and aquarists is their role in nitrogen cycling. Nitrogen compounds like ammonia and nitrite are very toxic to fish. In water, nitrogen exists in various chemical forms and they are converted by chemical and biochemical reactions. Nitrogen cycling is very complex and involves a lot of chemical and biochemical processes.

Nitrogen is a critical element for forming living tissue, proteins, amino acids, etc. Only oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen are more abundant in cellular tissue. Most often, the major source of nitrogen entering the water of a pond or aquarium comes from fish food. Other sources are dead vegetation (grass, leaves, etc.) and perhaps animal wastes like bird droppings.  Fish food is converted by fish into energy and cellular tissue. Excess nitrogen in the food is excreted in feces as ammonia. Food that is not eaten decomposes and releases its nutrients into the water creating more ammonia.  Bacteria quickly convert this toxic ammonia to nitrite.  Unfortunately, nitrite is even MORE TOXIC than ammonia.  But, luckily for the fish, other bacteria quickly convert nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate is not very toxic and is the preferred nitrogen source for plants, algae, and bacteria. So there you have the nitrogen cycle for aqueous systems:

               Living organism→ ammonia→nitrite→nitrate→living organism.

The term “Algea bloom” refers to a rapid increase in the algae population that can happen in either fresh or saltwater.

Algae blooms usually occur in tanks that have an excess of nutrients, specifically Phosphorus, whose levels usually spike because of overfeeding and an excess of leftover food.

Algae consumes nitrogen, and phosphorus for growth and reproduction. When there are excessive amounts of these nutrients available algae can spread rapidly and become an issue. As algae booms then busts, the dead algae will decrease the amounts of dissolved oxygen in water and can suffocate fish.

Preventing Algae Blooms

• Light – Avoid keeping an aquarium near a window or glass door to avoid direct sunlight. Lights should not be left on for longer than 8 hours. Keeping lights on a timer will ensure lighting is consistent.
• Nutrients – Overfeeding with fish food can result in high ammonia and phosphate levels. Using tap water with high phosphates will help fuel algae growth. Fish wastes that build up in the water provide extra nutrients for algae. Overdosing with chemical additives will increase nutrient levels as well.

Featuring live plants in your aquarium is much healthier for your aquarium’s inhabitants. Live plants provide your fish a natural food source with the ability to replenish.

Start with the biggest benefit of all:

They Produce Oxygen: Live aquarium plants produce oxygen and absorb some of the carbon dioxide, ammonia and other harmful nitrates that your fish generate. This puts less strain on your filtration system (though should never be used to replace your filter) and helps maintain good water quality, keeping your fish happier and healthier.

They Reduce Algae Growth: Because they compete with algae for the same nutrients and light sources, aquarium plants are great for keeping algae growth to a minimum. Preventing too many algae from growing is important, as excessive amounts can be harmful to your fish.

They Provide Shelter for Fish: Fish like to have secluded spots and safe places to dart into and hide, and live aquarium plants are the perfect way to provide extra security and shelter for them. This helps reduce stress levels and increase your fish’s quality of life.

They’re Aesthetically Pleasing: There’s no denying that real aquarium plants add an element of natural beauty to any fish tank, and there are lots of types you can choose from. With vibrant shades of greens and reds, the addition of a variety of plants is a surefire way to make your fish tank more attractive

By far the biggest benefit that live plants provide for your aquarium is that they produce oxygen (O2) and absorb the carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) that your fish generate. Adding live plants in your aquarium helps recreate a natural ecosystem in miniature and may be one of the most beneficial ways to keep your fish healthy.

By improving water quality and reducing stress, live plants are a great way to improve your fishes’ health. Adding live plants, however, does not reduce the need for water changes.

some tips how:

• Tall stem plants like Rotala Indica will begin to bend over at the surface if not pruned back. While this surface growth is ideal for bubble-nesting gouramis, it also shades the plants below from precious light.
• Advantageous rooting plants can be pruned mid stem and replanted. Simply trim the bottom leaves of the cutting and place back into the substrate, using bendable plant weights if necessary, to anchor. Replant with the same grouping for a fuller look, or experiment by interspersing these single cuttings among other established groupings.
• Sometimes, a young plant that starts out looking fine in one location soon outgrows its space. To thin out, either cut and toss individual leaves or carefully pull out half the cluster by the roots and replant the extra in another location.

I will be sharing my experience in a next episode for “Bacopa

Breeding fish in Aquarium, isn’t just for Money, Breeding fish in aquariums is an opportunity to relax, I am not mentioning this to overwhelm people who do so for money, I am just trying to diverse your vision for all things you may have missed beside you.

Imagine this view around you, beside you or even behind you? imagine how much does it affect on your internal relaxation?
lets’ have more views before discussing how to prepare your aquarium in next post.

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