how to rid this algae?

[spilopterus]

Hi guys, having this algae in me tank right now. Revamped once to get of this bugger, its now back again. What eats it? Have SAE and golden horseface loach, but not regressing.

algae

[PeterGwee]

Looks kinda like BGA...Is it smelly? Manual removal coupled with large water changes, addition of KNO3 and blackout for 3-5days should do the trick. After the blackout, do another large water change and add back the KNO3 and make sure that the NO3 never runs out again.

[spilopterus]

You mean KNO3 will wipe out this thing? Wow... ok man. I have that. How nice. Sheesh, I thought it was too much NO3 actually. Yes, it stinks, but not so bad, it can be sucked out with a hose though. But very very persitent. Was about to get those cheap sucker fish to get rid of em. What fishes will keep em' at bay?

[PeterGwee]

KNO3 does not kill BGA. I am just asking you to supplement your NO3 as it probably got bottom out due to increase plant mass over a certain period.

Blackout is a natural and safe way to deal with BGA but you would need to address the cause as well which is why the NO3 is being added. No algae eaters is going to touch that for your info.

What is your tank volume? Go with 1/4tsp of KNO3 for every 20gallons of water. Do note that you would also need to ensure your CO2 is good (20-30ppm) and supplement the rest of the nutrients (K, P, traces) as well in order for the plants to assimilate the nutrients as well as to keep algae at bay through strong growth.

[bttay]

My experience getting rid of BGA was:
1) supplement KNO3(10ppm) and PO4(2ppm)
2) have more frequent water change eg. 50% once every two days for a a week.
3) Try to clear as much as BGA as possible.
4) Try to achieve pH to 6.5 by CO2.

The above worked for me. Hope it helps you too.

[limsteel]

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On 10/22/2003 10:51:58 PM

You mean KNO3 will wipe out this thing? Wow... ok man. I have that. How nice. Sheesh, I thought it was too much NO3 actually. Yes, it stinks, but not so bad, it can be sucked out with a hose though. But very very persitent. Was about to get those cheap sucker fish to get rid of em. What fishes will keep em' at bay?
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This BGA can use any Nitro Compound in water. NOTHING eat them! they produce toxic even snail leave them alone! They will quickly cover the plant then everything it covers dies!

Change water, Air Pump, KNO3, Light out for a few days (total darkness, wrap TANK with black rubbish bag) suck up browned BGA, water change, KNO3 and monitor.. Still have repeat CYCLE! Area near the tank will stink with LoKang smell, ensure good ventilation else whole house stink (abit exaggerating, heheheh). My Wife nearly wants me to throw away the fish tank!

very good for species tank, lot of bubbles!

[budak]

what i understand is that BGA doesn't use nitrogenous compounds in the water..... it has the ability to synthesise them itself...... thus, the rationale for dosing KNO3 is to boost the growth rate and overall nutrient update of the other plants, to the BGA's detriment.

Kasselmann, in one of her books, advises at least three days of total blackout, followed by removal of dead BGA debris and heavy light/Co2/fertilisation. She also cites a German article where Potassium sulfate (8g/100 ml) is used to combat BGA, noting that BGA reacts badly to high K levels (which in turn are good for plants, assuming other parameters are at optimum levels).

Another practice by the germans is high O2. Apart from getting plants to assimilate well, Kasselmann observes that a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide will visibly cause damage to BGA (although some sensitive plants like hornwort will also be affected). Those who have read her Aquarium Plants book will also know her theory that high O2 levels stimulate plant growth as well.