BGA & BBA on Xmas moss

[uklau]

Hi, I'm starting to get these about 2 weeks ago. It's kind of hard for me to manually remove it from the moss. Any way to recover the xmas moss? Thanks.

[b_goh88]

I face the same problem when I was away in Penang for a week.
I manully remove as many BGA & BBA as possible. The next day I got 4 SAE and another 4 more the following day. It took about 3 to 4 days for them to clear almost all BGA & BBA. 8 maybe too many, I got them cos worry but the outbreak.

[zenscape]

Hi, I'm starting to get these about 2 weeks ago. It's kind of hard for me to manually remove it from the moss. Any way to recover the xmas moss? Thanks.

Usually, I will throw it away once it is infested. Picking up BGA and BBA is tough work. You may not completely "clean" it and residue BGA and BBA will bloom in a couple of days.

But if you really want to save it, you may consider these methods:-

For BGA, it is in fact easier. If you are able to take the moss out of the tank, put it in a closed tub and leave it inside a cupboard- "black out" it for a week.

BBA is more tricky, black out will not do as it is more stubborn. But I had got rid of BBA by having the moss with BBA in a moist (not submerged form) sealed tub and leave it there for 2 weeks.

At the end of the day, you will have to keep the fert regime in check for long term plan.

[uklau]

Thanks, guys. Looks like this job requires lots of patience than skills.

[puffer07]

really thanks for the info

[Shadow]

I kill BBA using florish excel injected into (or closed) to it every day. After 3 or 4 days it turn white and gone by itself or maybe my yamato eat it.

[doppelbanddwarf]

hi brother this link teaches how to how to remove algae frm java moss
http://www.aquamoss.net/Articles/Rem...-From-Moss.htm
hope it helps

[Sunfire]

for BBA in small quantities - SAE might eat them. Siamese Algae Eater. This has been verified across the hobby.

I also have noticed some shrimps eating BBA. These were malayan shrimps and tiger shrimps. Cannot verify if there is really any effect. SAE might eat your moss too.

To remove BBA - there also is the carbon dioxide method - increase levels of carbon dioxide in the tank with your regulator. Increase water movement too, make sure carbon dioxide is well distributed in the tank. The BBA would gradually disappear. This would save your moss....

Also, some people have

The fastest method for BBA is to squirt SeaChem Excel on it directly. This makes it turn white. Also do note that it is not removed - it is just...white and probably dead. Fish or shrimp might eat it then. You can try this with your moss - but it might look unsightly.

Other methods which I have tried...

for BBA on stones or driftwood - remove stone or wood and scald with hot water. The BBA would turn red and then few days later, white, after which it disappears.

for BBA on plants - bleaching might help although another solution might be - remove plants, put in double solution of seachem excel for a while, then rinse with water.

[StanChung]

I'd just take the whole thing out, wash it with water, salvage whatever not infected and retie.

[itssg]

You need to prevent the BBA to grow first. Before you are cleaning it. Pratice to wash the filter every month or every 2 months. Increase the CO2. Reduce the amount of pellet or feeding and liquid fertilizer.

My 4ft was fully grown with BBA and BGA at the same time. I had introduced 20 pcs of young and hungry SAE. (adult SAE will not eat any algae) They were just take few days to clear all of the BBA. Take them out after they cleared the BBA. Else, the mosses or liverworts will be eaten by them.

I had my own formula - K2SO4 + KNO3(powder form) dosed on the BGA infected area. Increase the aeration at night. Or just 3 days black out with aeration. BGA will gone immediately.

[uklau]

Thanks for sharing, Sunfire.

I'm wondering if there is anyone would adopt adult SAE. I don't mind buying a few to help up with cleaning but when they grow up, I don't know what to do with them.

[itssg]

I trade in with lfs for some pellets.

[Happy Camper]

Take the moss out of your tank, place it on some rinsed gravel and soil mix, keep covered so that humidity stays high. Once algae has died off you can submerge the moss in your tank again. The moss grows quicker out of water anyway which is an added bonus

[uklau]

Thanks for the tips, Happy Camper .

[grey_fox]

Hey uklau, any update on your situation with the BGA & BBA issue?

[uklau]

I injected them with Excel. Much better now. Working hard to maintain a good CO2 level & circulation. Anyone has any idea if there is such a meter like pH meter to measure CO2 easily & doesn't cost a bomb? Thanks.

[jellydot72]

Hi,
when the algae goes out of control. I switch off all lights and even cover the tank up. Dark period for up to a week depending on how bad the condition is. After that change water. But note, weaker plants also die.