Getting rid of algae

[jonpoh]

Hi All,

I am just wondering what are the methods to get rid of these kind of algae:

1) BBA


2) Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria)

regards
Jonathan

[whuntley]

Hi All,

I am just wondering what are the methods to get rid of these kind of algae:

1) BBA


2) Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria)

regards
Jonathan

For 1), SAEs will eat it when thery are young. Physical removal by bleaching wood, etc., and trimming old infested leaves is the place to start. Razor off of glass. Change water more often.

For 2) get the nutrients back in balance (big water changes?), and physically remove all that can be peeled off. Then black out the tank for a few days.

The kind of BGA that lives in aquaria cannot fix its own nitrogen, so getting nitrates down and blackout are usually quicker and more certain that using any antibiotic. If you use erythromycin o/e, you risk creating resistant strains of other bacteria. The BGA will be right back in no time, if you don't fix the nitrate problems.

That's my US$0.02. YMMV.

Wright

[TyroneGenade]

SAEs all the way! They are really lovely fish. I love that metallic green sparkle on their flanks!

Gor BGA my advice is:
1) feed less
2) more regular small water changes
3) cut down on aeration, add some CO2 (if you have hard water) and lets the plants outcompete the blighters. I would not plunge the tank into darkness! I have never done so and the BGA has always disappeared after the plants got established enough to remove the NH3 before it could become NO3-.

BGA cannot reach plaque proportions unless both NO3- and PO4- levels are high.

tt4n

[jonpoh]

Thank you so much for the reply..!! Appreciate it guys!

regards
Jonathan