Cause of Blue Green Algae

[wasabi8888]

Hi all

From Sera Algae book, it states that one of the causes of BGA is too high nitrates (and postassium). I remembered someone telling me BGA is due to lack of nitrates. So which is which?

I am dosing both KNO3 and Kh2PO4 and wondering which one I should increase or decrease to prevent BGA.

Can anyone help?

[hnugraha]

BGA is cyanobacteria outbreak, you need antibiotic (believe it or not), no traditional algae medication will work. I get rid of it in my 100L tank with 500mg eritromycin capsule I bought in the pharmacyst (crushed it, stir with water, and pour in, let them settle for 2 days). The pharmacysts were all laughing when I told I only need 1 capsule for my tank, so they allow 1 capsule for me. It works. Mine is clean now and all the plants back thriving.

To prevent next you will need to ensure enough flow in the tank and yes control nitrate and phosphate are always good habit.

[wasabi8888]

Well, that did not answer my question..

Let me rephrase,

Is it high or low nitrates (among other factors such as poor circulation etc) that cause BGA?

[|squee|]

http://www.barrreport.com/co2-aquati...ight=bga+cause
http://www.barrreport.com/algae-cont...ight=bga+cause

It's low nitrate levels.

It's difficult to prove it to yourself because it requires accurate test kits and a good experiment... something us hobbyists can't do.

[GaspingGurami]

Actually, it is easy to prove. Suck out a clump of BGA, with some stem plants and put in a basin with tank water and leave out on a bright corridor etc. within a day, the BGA will have grown more, sometimes even pearling!

Now, get a pinch of KNO3 and liberally dust it over the BGA.

In 2 days see what happen? BGA gone! 2 more days, the stem plants growth gone wild!

Caution: This method need more control in dosing when doing to your tank.

On a separate topic, I've been watching Milkfish (Chanos Chanos) eating the BGA on the riverbed of some stinky canal in Singapore. I also know a place where they sell brackish Chanos Chanos for bait.

Now... if you have a large (4ft or more) tank, perhaps it is worth a try. And when the fish gets too big, you can give it to your Filipino maid to eat!

[barmby]

BGA is due to CO2 deficiency, poor water circulation, clogged filters, and lotsa urea

[grey_fox]

IME, BGA is evident when you have low nitrate levels & all that barmby has mentioned as well.

It all boils down to the maintanence of your tank.

[wasabi8888]

Hi all

I give up.... really need help here... i still have BGA after one week cleaning the tank.. now the BW has loads of algae BGA, hair algae (I think)... i have attached some pics.. I really do not have an idea what caused this.. I increased my No3 thinking that will decrease the BGA in my tank, but now nanas and BW also got....

Can someone help identify the algae on my nanas and flame moss?

Does any kind soul want to come to my house and take a look? I buy lunch/dinnner etc....

[sunnydaze]

Dont look like BGA to me. Do you have any algea eater in your tank?

[wasabi8888]

Joe

THe one on the nana?

I do have BGA at the edge of the gravel just that I did not take the pics..

definitely have BGA on the BW...

[barmby]

I will suggest you use lowtech tank approach because nana don't really do well in high light high nutrient environment. You may get some big plants to shield the nana if you insist of hightech method.

[barmby]

Further, moss also do not requirre high tech maintance. Just cool water, and leave it alone. It will flourish. However, your apisto will suffer due to lack of water change if you use low tech tank method..

[AA24]

how is the bga situation now.. ??.. any improvement..??..

[wasabi8888]

No...

coming back again... i did not try the antibiotic or black out yet...

[StanChung]

Looks like GSA on the Nanas and BBA on the Vallis nana.

[kenneth_kpe]

Actually, it is easy to prove. Suck out a clump of BGA, with some stem plants and put in a basin with tank water and leave out on a bright corridor etc. within a day, the BGA will have grown more, sometimes even pearling!

Now, get a pinch of KNO3 and liberally dust it over the BGA.

In 2 days see what happen? BGA gone! 2 more days, the stem plants growth gone wild!

Caution: This method need more control in dosing when doing to your tank.

On a separate topic, I've been watching Milkfish (Chanos Chanos) eating the BGA on the riverbed of some stinky canal in Singapore. I also know a place where they sell brackish Chanos Chanos for bait.

Now... if you have a large (4ft or more) tank, perhaps it is worth a try. And when the fish gets too big, you can give it to your Filipino maid to eat!

hmmm you are kidding right ??

[morta_skuld]

yeah is it for real?