Question:Hi,
How much does temp and PH affect algae growth ie high temp low PH, and is fungus, mold, bacteria when seen growing on itmes or objects other than fish all classified/ grouped as algae?
Thanks
Answers:
That's a little difficult to answer, as not all algaes have the same growing requirements. I'll take your second question first as it's a little easier to answer(?).
First, I would have to say that there will probably be some disagreements, even among "experts" on the answer to the second question. What the organism "is" that is seen (algae, bacteria, or fungus) doesn't change by where it's growing - that's like saying a cat would be a cat inside, but would be a dog outside of the house. It is whatever it is. But as scientific methods have changed in the last few decades, some oganisms that were thought to be one thing have been reclassified based on their DNA, chemical composition, etc. Even though they have "become" something else, the older "common names" haven't kept up with the change. Some examples of this are "blue-green algae" and "red slime algae" which are now classified as bacteria (cyanobacteria). There's the diseases "mouth fungus" (also a bacteria, Columnaris) and "body fungus" (now classified with algae as Saprolegnia or Achylea). So with new classifications by scientists, even though some of these happened more than a decade ago, use of the new classifications in the hobby haven't caught up yet.
Now, to your main question. Higher temperatures, at least to a point, usually result in faster growth. Every organism has it's own "ideal" range though. If the temperature is too high or too low, the growth and activity will slow down. Think of how you feel in a room that's 20o, 120o, and 65o - chances are there's one temperature where you would be able to get more work done and feel most comfortable. With these organisms it's the same, although for some, the ideal might be 20o or 120o. The same goes with pH, although speaking in general terms, most fungi, bacteria, and algae grow best at neutral to slightly acidic pH. That's one of the reasons you might see algae a little more often in tropical community tanks than African Rift Lake tanks.
well the temp and ph doesnt have that much to do with the algae, the main thing that makes algae grow is the lighting. try to have your tank light turned of at night and when you do water changes, just wipe down the tank and all the stuff with algae on it.
Warmer temperatures will encourage growth of algae, fungus, mold and bacteria.
pH will have very little effect on any of these unless it gets to extreme levels that fish wouldn't not tolorate.
Each is classified separately and should be treated differently in a tank if you mean for control of elimination.
MM
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