Effect of Algicide on Moss

[Johnc]

Hi folks,

I have a big bunch of moss that is infected with hair algae. I want to save the moss, but obviously not the algae.

Does anyone know if the algicides available at the LFS is safe to use on the moss? I am thinking of treating the moss in a separate tank without the fish or inverts.

Does the 10% bleach solution method work for hair algae? Is it safe on moss?

Thanks for any helps.

/John

[StanChung]

Bleach works.
You have to do a control to check at what concentration and time of death[down to the second+-5] for the algae. Otherwise following somebody else's recipe would be inaccurate.
At one point in the dip the algae will be at the point of no return before it turns to white. This is because if you dip it to the point it becomes white, the moss would most likely be dead as well.
So the idea is to dip just long enough to kill the hair algae but with minimal damage to your moss.

[wintor56]

John,

I sucessfully used a 5% solution ( 1 part 5% sodium hypochlorite bleach to 19 parts "hard" tap water) to kill hair algae on my various moss and fissidens covered bog wood by soaking them in the solution for 2 minutes or spraying the solution and waiting 2 minutes , then thoroughly soaking in freshwater ( with dechlorinator) to get rid of the bleach solution.

What Stan says is extremely important, because he too used the same strength bleach and weaker dilution rate, but he needed a lot less time , maybe due to soft water?.

Use a spare bit of moss mixed with Hair algae, to see how long it takes for the hair algae, to get to the point just before it turns white. After rinsing reintroduce into tank and make sure after a day or so, that moss is not killed too.

Regards,
Des

[Johnc]

Thanks for your pointers, Stan and Des. I will try out your suggestions. Certainly cheaper than using Algicides.

Regards

/John

[StanChung]

You're welcome, Des pointed out a very interesting observation that although our bleach was at similar concentrations but mine was far more effective. From my high school chemistry, I presume it to be softer water in KL. So this point alone will give you variation to worry about in terms of the dip duration! Happy nuking!