String/hair algae, is it ok?

[Azhael]

At a friends "pond" there´s some of this algae which i can´t identify...i don´t know if it is Spirogyra, Oedogonium or whatever....
I´m thinking of using it for my tanks, but i don´t know if they are safe. I´m sure it´s a filamentous chlorophyte, and i´ve seen it in a lot of places. If someone know if these are safe and have been used without problems please tell me. I know some algae are toxic or pollute water...i don´t want to make a mistake.

 

[TristanH]

Hi Rodrigo,

As far as I know no filamentous algae are toxic in themselves - only planktonic algae are toxic. However, some types of filamentous algae can be indicators of nutrient pollution. So I would be wary about transferring filamentous algae to your aquarium, because they may contain excessive amounts of nutrients that could pollute your tank. Newts don't usually seem to mind them though, and often use them for cover.

In my experience, the spores of filamentous algae get everywhere, and they will colonise your tank naturally (you'll be scraping them off after a couple fo months!). A few water snails should help to control their growth so you can still see your amphibians.

Tristan