How to Harvest Algae From Water
In decorative water features, such as swimming pools and fountains, algae is often viewed as a nuisance. However, algae oxygenates the water it grows in and contains several nutrients, beneficial to both humans and animals. According to John S. Lucas and Paul C. Southgate, authors of "Aquaculture: Farming Aquatic Animals and Plants," harvesting algae is a simple process requiring only a bit of patience to complete. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Make sure the algae receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day for one week before harvesting. According to Gilbert Barnabe, author of "Aquaculture," algae grows best in still, warm water. Providing such an environment will improve the quantity and quality of the algae you harvest.
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Prepare to harvest the algae by setting up a plastic storage container by the water.
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Skim a pool cleaning net through the water to catch the floating algae. After each pass through the water, bring the net up and dump the algae into the plastic storage container. Continue doing this until you have harvested all of the floating algae.
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Pick up rocks, sticks and other objects with high quantities of algae growing on them and pull it off with your fingers, placing it into the plastic storage container.
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Fill the storage container with water from the same source you harvested the algae if you intend to keep it alive. If you intend to dry it, however, place the container in full sunlight, or beneath a UV lamp, until dry.
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Tips & Warnings
According to Robert G. Sheath, John D. Wehr and James H. Thorp, authors of "Freshwater Algae of North America," you should never harvest algae from a water source you are not familiar with to avoid the risk of chemical contamination.
References
- Photo Credit alga image by laviniaparscuta from Fotolia.com
