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Thread: Dealing with Blue Green Algae (BGA)

  1. #1
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    Dealing with Blue Green Algae (BGA)

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    Hi all

    I always have prob with Blue Green Algae in the gravel (not on top)... Everytime, i get it, i used a expired credit card to stir the gravel so that I can suck the BGA up...

    I understand that BGA is due to
    1. poor circulation
    2. low/zero nitrite level
    3. Unstable CO2

    How to increase nitrite?

    I am using a 2 ft Juwel tank and trying to fact the outlet to the gravel. CO2 is pretty stable now...

    Tank specs
    1. 2 ft JUwel tank
    2. CO2 at 1 bps

    Flora:

    Spiky and fissiden moss, vialis

    Fauna: 3 rams and 3 aphistos and 2 checkerboards, otos, yamotos.

    Any advice?

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    It's nitrate not nitrite!

    Get pottasium nitrate (KNO3). I have a tau-hway tub of it FOC if you want, pm me. Dose perhaps 1/4 of a teaspoon twice a week.

    BGA is triggered by almost-zero levels of nitrate(which means your plants are really using up all the nitrates in the water). BBA is triggered by unstable/insufficient CO2, not BGA.

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    eek... the most hated algae.. mine current tank is infeasted with it.. it cover all my plant,dw and substrate. .. gg to tear down the whole thing n redo it..
    Last edited by freezze; 24th Aug 2006 at 14:31.
    "L" plate gardener

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    Egeria densa - this plant is known to secretes antibiotic substance that helps preventing BGA.. it is a cheap and easily available plant and easy to grow too..

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    That's interesting... any comments from the rest? did not know the the water weed has that characteristic...

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    I have previously used Interpet's anti bacterial medication with success against BGA.

    Cheers,
    I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?

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    I have these stinky BGA in my 3ft tank too, although not much. However, I find it a little strange that low or no nitrate can cause it. As my tank is constantly filled with plant debris all the time, I thought that will contribute to a higher level of decomposition => nitrogen => nitrite => nitrate ?
    I had also put in a powerhead to improve circulation.
    The only variable here is the CO2 output, it is unstable as I m using DIY.
    But I will be getting a CO2 tank + solenoid soon, so lets see if a constant CO2 supply can eradicate these pesky stinky stuff.

    Interesting to note that water weed can prevent BGA. Maybe the next alternative if CO2 dont work. If still doesnt work, then will try Interpet's anti-bacterial medication.

    Tearing down the whole tank ... dont even wanna think about it

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    many people misunderstood BGA thinking it is an algae though it is classified under the algae category.. on actual fact they are bacteria that normal algae killing method/chemical wont kill them.. even shutting down the lights wont help much.. the only way is through the use of antibiotics..

    how it grows?? the main contributing factor is lacking of water flow.. if you install a pump to introduce some water current to those corner where BGA is growing, it will somehow help but does not eliminate them as they take their business somewhere else.. second factor is excessive food source for them.. they like uneaten fish food, so control your feeding so there wont be much food left over.. and clear rotten leaves every now and then.. frequent water change helps to reduce the possibility of such bacteria bloom too..

    if not, plant some Egeria densa.. this plant produce antibiotics against these bacteria..

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    Medication

    Quote Originally Posted by benny
    I have previously used Interpet's anti bacterial medication with success against BGA.

    Cheers,
    Hi Benny,

    May I know exactly the medication name? Cos I cant seem to find any specific anti-bacterial medication except those meant for fish with internal bacterial infection.

    And may I know also how u dose the medication, spray directly on BGA or just general dosing?

    Thx for advice.
    Joe

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    Wink Bga

    Use the antibiotic Erythrocin. Try to talk to your friendly Dr.

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    A little OT, but I seriously think it is not very good to 'misuse' antibiotics... And won't it harm the beneficial bacterial in the tank?
    Read me! :bigsmile: http://justikanz.blogspot.com/

    I'm crypt collecting... Starting cheap, now have Cryptocoryne beckettii, C.beckettii var petchii, C.crispatula var.balansae, C.griffithii(Melted! ), C.nurii, C.parva, C.pygmaea(Melted! ), C.tonkinensis(Melted! ), C.walkeri, C.wendtii 'Brown', C.wendtii 'Green', C.wendtii 'Green Gecko', C.wendtii 'Tropica' and Cryptocoryne x willisii

    Oh, juggling is hard work, man!...

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    Do the blackout (free...who can argue with free?) and just make sure you don't run low/bottom out the next time by dosing KNO3. We have gone over this pretty much. It would be best if you do a search the next time you ask.

    Regards
    Peter Gwee
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

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    Anyone knows what is the name of the medication on the bottle / box(exactly) that Benny was referring to (post #6 above) ??

    Thx.

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    Quote Originally Posted by SmallFish
    Anyone knows what is the name of the medication on the bottle / box(exactly) that Benny was referring to (post #6 above) ??

    Thx.
    Interpet No 9 - Anti Internal Bacterial Treatment. Commonly available at various LFS.

    Dosing instruction is at the side of the bottle (not the box). Take note.

    Cheers,
    I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?

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    nitrate level

    is not adequate nitrate really the root cause for bga infestation?

    i measure the nitrate level in my tank and it show 50mg/l .. is that higher enough? cos the bga still expaning..
    "L" plate gardener

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    I am really tempted either to use the antibiotic or Interpet No.9.

    The prob is that i am keeping apistos in the tank and i hear they are really sensitive as well..

    won't black outs be bad for the plants as well? NA asked to try the antibiotic way as he has tried and his shrimps are fine...

    Anyone here tried that before?
    I am into Plecos now...
    L46, L173, L134 & L236
    ~~Jeffrey~~

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    Quote Originally Posted by wasabi8888
    I am really tempted either to use the antibiotic or Interpet No.9.

    The prob is that i am keeping apistos in the tank and i hear they are really sensitive as well..

    won't black outs be bad for the plants as well? NA asked to try the antibiotic way as he has tried and his shrimps are fine...

    Anyone here tried that before?
    i presently using interpet 9... BGA still ard... will be applying the 2nd dose on wednesday nite..
    "L" plate gardener

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    Please keep us updated.. i want to see how it pens out
    I am into Plecos now...
    L46, L173, L134 & L236
    ~~Jeffrey~~

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    Quote Originally Posted by wasabi8888
    I am really tempted either to use the antibiotic or Interpet No.9.

    The prob is that i am keeping apistos in the tank and i hear they are really sensitive as well..

    won't black outs be bad for the plants as well? NA asked to try the antibiotic way as he has tried and his shrimps are fine...

    Anyone here tried that before?
    Folks ship plants all the time for 3 days, not an issue.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr

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