Q&A for How to Grow Algae

Depends what type of algae you are growing and why you are growing it. Some algae is cultivated for food, some is studied under microscopes for research purposes, some is used for biodiesel, and some is grown by accident and is unwanted.

Yes. You can grow algae in pond water.

Keep it inside or in a warmer room. You might want to make sure that the water is a bit warmer too, but not so much that it will mess with the algae.

There are different types of algae, but this contains green algae. If you are using saltwater, you can grow different colors of algae.

Yes it is actually very good, and this method can be used to feed animals.

Some species of algae are grown in saltwater. Choose a species that is compatible with saltwater and it should be fine.

There is a market to grow and sell algae for a host of purposes. For example, in use as biofuel or to minimize CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels. Look into the industries in your area and find exactly what niche you will need to fill with your algae.

The fertilizer is optional, but the algae sample puts algae in the bottle so it can reproduce. It introduces algae into the mini ecosystem and starts the life cycle of the algae.

Definitely. Any container will be perfectly fine, as long as it is sealed against leakage and transparent.

Algae is often spun down with a centrifuge to compact and preserve.

Use a chemical designed to kill the algae but keep the fish alive. Algae needs light to live, if you can find some black mesh screening used to keep birds away from ponds then try a few layers of this, it should block enough light to keep the growth to a minimum.

You can get a sample from a local pond or lake, or buy an algae pellet from a pet store.

Yes. Their diet is mainly made up of algae, aquatic invertebrates, and waste particles.

The quickest and easiest way is to go to a pet store and buy algae pellets, and let them sit in water.

Buy an algae pellet from a pet store, put it in a bottle of distilled water.

Yes, you can most definitely grow algae with tadpoles in the same tank.

The top of the container does not have to be sealed. Just make sure your container does not leak.

Algae grows in aquariums due to the combination of light, nutrients, temperatures, and water conditions. Aquariums are ideal environments for algae growth.

As soon as the algae has grown, you can begin pressing it for fuel or use chemical reactions to achieve the biofuel.

No, leave it open for natural gases to come and go. Doing so will allow a more natural growth of the algae.

Green hair algae is good as it grows furiously given the right conditions (lots of light, nutrients and plenty of surface area).

Yes any clear container is fine. Preferably a sturdy one. Mason jars are the best if you want to use glass.

I'm doing the same thing. I have not yet done it, but it would be possible to strain it (through cloth, so none of the algae goes through) and measure the mass that way. Another way would be to divide your container into cubes and measure what percentage of the cubes have algae.

Yes, because the algae bleach out the chemicals.

You should filter the water, and think about adding more nutrients. Your algae may be dying.

It will take a minimum of 1 and a half weeks in spring and 3 weeks in winter. It depends on the temperature of your room.

Yes, as long as you have sunlight and the right tools, you can grow algae at home, even in the winter.

No, you cannot grow algae in a box.

Yes, like any other organism, algae does require nutrients. From my experiences, though, not a lot of extra fertilizer is needed.

If there is not sunlight to provide the necessary energy for reproducing, no algae will form.