Time to use Erythro on Blue Green Algae

[EdwinL]

Just to share my recent experience on managing BGA

- 50% water change per week
- reduced the exposure of the substrate's surface by increasing the plants population, rearrangement, replanting, trimming, etc.
- increased CO2 to 4 from 8.
- Ph drop fm 7.2 to 6.7
- reduce the lighting fm 12hrs to 8hrs.
- added 100 Malaya and 20 Yamato shrimps

So far, BGA and Brown Algae which I previously had had been under control (disappeared) for the last 2 weeks.

Anyway, having seen the progress, I do not rule out that if there is an outbreak again, I might resort to using Erythromycin.

EdwinL

[torque6]

BGA returns after 6 weeks and the areas of infection is the same.

I have ruled down several causes these time, so the DIY co2 wasnt the real cause as i pointed out sometime back. They started growing fast from this week when i
1- Reduce my sechem nitrogen dose to 2x weekly instead 3x. Each dose is less than 1ml for a 10L tank. Small tank dosing is a pain.
2- Took out my 200L/H powerhead because it was stressing my fishes.
3- Added 1 additional bag of Mr aqua ceramic rings to fill up the OHF, so now media goes -> Mr aqua CC on top/biohome plus below->gex carbon pad->fine wool
4- Added 1 course sponge infront of the outlet slope of the gex OHF to reduce water flow.
5- Added 1 small course sponge at the adjustment slope so the fishes doesnt get suck in and whirl round it.
6- Feeding once per day only, 3 boras -> about 4-6 pellets, dosing time about an hour as i ensure they finish it up before i drop the next one in. Some small pellets however gets suck up by the filter when they break up, and i havent cleaned my filter for a month.

Photo period still at 9 hours per day. Split at 4.5 hrs for a 2 hour break with Gex 12w PL.
Co2 drop checker at dark green.
Weekly dose besides nitrogen sechem, also dose 3x PO, 1x K, 2x sechem trace, water change with Sechem equilibrium, 1/3 teaspoon. All other than equilibrium are about 1 drop <1ml.

I havent remove the airstone from sanders since my last infestation, apparently they are not as useful for prevention. Other than this, HG+moss are growing very well with runners all over the place, my 3 boras and 2 nerite snails seems content in the tank with no issue.

[Quincy]

Bro, you might want to dose KNO3, although its banned I believed some farms in Pasir Ris are selling. I remembered that time I intro a 300l/hr powerhead into my 1.5ft tank and BGA still keep growing but BBA greatly reduced. My BGA are greatly reduced since getting the pills from you and now I overdoes KNO3 twice a week and the BGA are kept at bay. I believe that Seachem Nitrogen has the same effect just that you have to overdose slightly and perform weekly wc.

[torque6]

hi quincy, great to know the anti-biotics are working for you. Pure kno3 is still best as it doesnt contain either ammonium or urea so can just overdose if possible and it wouldnt cause algae. Paris ris fishfarm got quite a few, are we looking at those at OTF or those at mainland ?

[MRJee]

Hi torque6,
I am facing BGA in my 5 footer currently. Can i know where to get the antibiotics?Thanks.

[markymarcus]

I would actually suggest dosing excel. It worked wonders for me. Measured out the required dose/frequency on the bottle and "spot" treated the BGA. The water turned mildly cloudy for a couple days because of the dying BGA and voila! All gone!

[surreal1228]

Seems a very good product.

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