Starting a little algae farm

[SunnyHouTX]

My new WC Murago are a little finicky with food so I need a steady supply of algae in the near term. So I decided to get this project going. I considered an algae scrubber a la fshfrk but found that I don't have the space to set that up.

Tank is a 29 gal sitting on a dresser. Sides covered with foam insulation board with a reflective finish on one side. The board will be mounted on the top, back and side panels all the time and the front panel will be temporary/as needed. Lighting will be two 5000K daylight CFL bulbs or the two 15W fixtures that are sitting on the top panel. Light cycle will be at least 12hrs per day.

AC70 without media for circulation and aeration.

Gonna seed the tank with algae covered rocks that I'm getting from Andrew_B and sunkenmetal and let it take off from there. Probably add a drop or two of Miracle-Gro liquid to help things move along.

Let's see how it works out.

[eklikewhoa]

I've noticed that limestone/holey rocks form algae pretty quickly.

Another option to the whole algae thing is soaked Nori sheets, cheap and you can buy in packets that would last quite a while.

[nightster]

Re: Starting a little algae farm

The reflective walls is a good idea, keep as much light in as possible. Do you have one for the front as well?

[SunnyHouTX]

The reflective walls is a good idea, keep as much light in as possible. Do you have one for the front as well?

Yeah, just let it off to take pics.

[SunnyHouTX]

I've noticed that limestone/holey rocks form algae pretty quickly.

Another option to the whole algae thing is soaked Nori sheets, cheap and you can buy in packets that would last quite a while.

I've not had good luck with Nori personally, plus I enjoy looking at Trophs and Petros going to town on an algae covered rock.

[myjohnson]

Sunny, I just keep water in a bucket outside.

[nightster]

Re: Starting a little algae farm

I bet it'll work out great. Guess I should have read the entire op, I'm bad about that...

[SunnyHouTX]

I hope so man. If the insulation is good at holding light in, I'm gonna run a reverse light period from 8pm - 8am to take advantage of lower electricity rates on my plan.

[eklikewhoa]

Plumb it to your main tank and use it as a nitrate sponge.

[SunnyHouTX]

Plumb it to your main tank and use it as a nitrate sponge.

Already thought of that but not a viable option. When I have a Miggy-esque fish room, that's what I plan on doing.

[SunnyHouTX]

Sunny, I just keep water in a bucket outside.

Don't get enough direct sunlight time in my patio, and I don't want to leave it outside while I'm at work.

[SunnyHouTX]

Guys, thanks for the suggestions, but I've already thought everything through and this is the route I'm taking for various reasons. This thread is just a fail/not-fail log and progress report.

[eklikewhoa]

Already thought of that but not a viable option. When I have a Miggy-esque fish room, that's what I plan on doing.

do it on the one with the largest bioload or has the highest nitrate readings before water change... or which ever tank that has the youngest fish.

[Fancyfish]

I'll be interested in seeing your progress.

[sunkenmetal]

The only thing I can keep alive is algae...