blue green algae problem

[kuching]

Hi,

my new 4 feet tank is invaded by blue green algae.....how to overcome this problem?The algae grow so fast that even the algae eating shrimp can not effectively "clean up" this algae.

Anyone can help me to solve this problem?

[confusekid]

No animal will eat Blue green. Not algea but bacteria. Change water, suck up as much as possible and add anti-biotic.

Jack

[kuching]

really??i saw the shrimp is eating it.....but still can't solve the problem....i just changed the water 2 days ago...but still can't solve....i think i'll goto buy some chemical...

[augi_ow]

i just got rid of my BGA... thanks to the guys on the forum
this is what you must do...
1) Try and remove as much of the green algae as possible manually
2) shut your CO2 and clean your filter
3) do a 50 % change of your water
4) cover your whole tank with black trash bag... NOTE: make sure the trash bag is not translucent otherwise light will pass through anyway... i used a blanket...
5) off your lights for 3 days..... BLACKOUT
6) check your tank for BGA after 3 days... it should dissapear.....
if it doesn't .... extend it for a day or 2


NOTE : BGA is a form of bacteria... no fish eats this kind of algae....
blackout is very efficient... NOTE : don't have to be worried about your plants... it will be fine

after 3 days when you turn on your lights... turn on your CO2... and give them a good dosage of plant nutrients>>>>

[confusekid]

No need to do the blackout. Normal for new tank, Let you biological filtration stabilise and the BGA will go away. At the mean time just change water as the BGA will produce toxic.

Jack

[Plantbrain]

No, a blackout is highly effective.
BGA seldom goes away on it's own, just ask those that have had it in the past. A mild case might appear and go away, but this is a sign of something else.

Address the cause of the BGA to begin with and then it does not come back.

To that blackout method, add: 1/4 teaspoon of KNO3 per 25 gallons of tank, after the 50% water change, do another 50% water change at the end of 3 days.

From then on, add KNO3 to your tank regularly.
Plants need a fair amount of NO3 and K, when these are not supplied, algae will grow.

Antibiotics are no more effective than a blackout which is 100% Free and always available anywhere to anyone, anytime.

A very good general rule about algae snake oils and killers:
If it is not a plant nutrient, do not add it to your tank.

Take care of the plants and then you do not have algae. It really is that simple.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[kuching]

Thanks guys....i'll try to eliminate the algae!

[kuching]

Hey guys,it works!!!!THANKYOU!After 3 days of blackout....most of the algae already dead....

[geoffrey]

[quote:e5905a54ca="kuching"]Hey guys,it works!!!!THANKYOU!After 3 days of blackout....most of the algae already dead....[/quote:e5905a54ca]

They are not dead, you just sent them on a holiday, if you are not careful next time, they will be back to haunt you again :P

Make sure you have you CO2, NPK, gH and/or TE corrected.

[kuching]

ok...TQ!!!!

[ivanjackrussell]

Hi, U can try phosphate test to see whether ur tank's phosphate level is too high. Be'cos Algae fed on phosphate, it's their source to growth..

Try buying some anti-phosphate chemical to remove them..

..
Happi planting.

[bclee]

[quote:b1fcdf720f="ivanjackrussell"]Hi, U can try phosphate test to see whether ur tank's phosphate level is too high. Be'cos Algae fed on phosphate, it's their source to growth..

Try buying some anti-phosphate chemical to remove them..

..
Happi planting.[/quote:b1fcdf720f]

Phosphate is definitely not the problem...

That was the OLD theory about algae which has proven not to be accurate. If you read more, you will find more information about algae problem.

BC

[Plantbrain]

If PO4 caused algae, this or others, I'd have mats of algae.
So would many other folks.

I have 1ppm+ of PO4 in my tanks for about 15 years now.
Lots of plants, no algae.

If PO4 causes algae, where is mine?

Blackout cost you nothing, it's free.
How do folks argue with free?


Regards,
Tom Barr

[weng0202]

[quote:6e9a05ab22="Plantbrain"]If PO4 caused algae, this or others, I'd have mats of algae.
So would many other folks.

I have 1ppm+ of PO4 in my tanks for about 15 years now.
Lots of plants, no algae.

If PO4 causes algae, where is mine?

Blackout cost you nothing, it's free.
How do folks argue with free?


Regards,
Tom Barr[/quote:6e9a05ab22]

Hi,

I have to agree on that one. I also experience a major breakout of bga and did a blackout for 1 week (ks lah) and I saw nothing left, other than my plants. I think I overdid my dosing of fertilisers and the balance was just not there. This allowed the bga to come in. I had never had it before. So, my conclusion is to trial and error on the fertilisers and get the balance. Plants need all the macros and micros to grow.

Cheers,
Weng